The list of injuries for the Detroit Lions grows weekly at this point, and Week 15 against the Buffalo Bills did not disappoint with four players (defensive tackle Alim McNeill, cornerback Carlton Davis, cornerback Khalil Dorsey) notably suffering injuries during the game. McNeill (torn ACL) and Dorsey (broken leg) are out for the season, and Dan Campbell was not very optimistic about Davis when asked on Friday.
Running back David Montgomery suffered an MCL injury in his right knee against Buffalo, but there is some optimism he could avoid season-ending surgery.
The Lions will look to get back into the win column on the road in Week 16 against the Chicago Bears. Practice reports had a couple players who are on IR (Ifeatu Melifonwu and Jalen Reeves-Maybin) moving toward a return to action. Reeves-Maybin was listed as out on Friday's injury report, and Melifonwu was listed as questionable.
Melifonwu was activated on Sunday, so he's on the 53-man roster and will be listed among the Lions' inactives if he does not suit up. Since Reeves-Maybin remains on IR, as expected, he is not on the 53-man roster and will not be listed among the Lions' inactive players this week.
There are two possible big injury concerns for the Lions.
Defensive back Brian Branch was clearly banged up against the Bills, and was limited in practice on both Thursday and Friday with a calf injury. He seems to be legitimately questionable for Sunday.
Left guard Graham Glasgow was "a little sore" coming out of last week's game (Campbell's words). He got what amounted to a rest day on Wednesday, then he did not practice on Thursday due to a knee issue. Despite Campbell saying he was unlikely to practice on Friday, he did get in a limited session. Glasgow also seems to be genuinely questionable for Sunday.
Week 16 inactives: Detroit Lions at Chicago Bears
Here are the Lions' inactives for Week 16.
- RB David Montgomery
- LB Kwon Alexander
- OL Giovanni Manu
- OG Graham Glasgow
- OL Colby Sorsdal
- DL Jonah Williams
- DT Brodric Martin
Glasgow is inactive. Kayode Awosika or rookie Christian Mahogany are expected to start at left guard.
Melifonwu is active, and so is Branch. Cornerback Emmanuel Moseley will suit up for the first time since Week 12 against the Colts.
And here are the Bears' inactives for Week 16.
- RB Travis Homer
- LB Noah Sewell
- OL Kiran Amegadjie
- DB Ameer Speed
- OL Doug Kramer
- DT Gervon Dexter