The Detroit Lions can take over first place in the NFC North with a win on Sunday over the Minnesota Vikings, not to mention knock a division rival from the unbeaten ranks if they do so.
The unseated headline on the injury front this week for the Lions is of course the loss of defensive end Aidan Hutchinson for the season due to a fractured left fibula and tibia last week against the Dallas Cowboys.
This week's injury report is not without a couple notable names though.
Cornerback Carlton Davis missed practice on Wednesday and Thursday with a quad issue. He was listed as questionable after being a full participant on Friday. but he told Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press he was good to go for Sunday.
The Sunday outlook for starting right guard Kevin Zeitler is not as good. He got a veteran's rest day on Wednesday, then he was listed as a limited participant on Thursday with a groin issue. He did not practice on Friday due to what became a hip issue, and is listed as questionable for Sunday.
Before Friday's practice, head coach Dan Campbell did not come off as very optimistic Zeitler would play.
#Lions coach Dan Campbell doesn't want to completely rule out RG Kevin Zeitler, but says, "I think it'll be hard to say he's playing."
— Nolan Bianchi (@nolanbianchi) October 18, 2024
Rookie guard Christian Mahogany was listed as out on Friday, as expected and as he moves through his 21-day window to be added to the 53-man roster. He started the season on the NFI list due to an illness. Since he is not on the 53-man roster, he will not be listed as an inactive player for Sunday's game.
Detroit Lions inactives for Week 7 vs. Vikings
Here are the Lions' inactives for Week 7.
- OG Kevin Zeitler
- DL Isaiah Thomas
- TE Parker Hesse
- OL Giovanni Manu
- OL Colby Sorsdal
- WR Isaiah Williams
As expected, Carlton Davis is active and Kevin Zeitler is out. Kayode Awosika is in line to start at right guard in Zeitler's place.
Defensive lineman Pat O'Connor was signed to the 53-man roster and tight end Shane Zylstra was elevated from the practice squad ahead of Sunday's game. Isaiah Thomas, who was signed this week, is inactive after simply not having enough time to be ready to contribute.
And here are the Week 7 inactives for the Vikings. Linebacker Blake Cashman and cornerback Akayleb Evans were ruled out on Friday.
- LB Blake Cashman
- CB Akayleb Evans
- QB Brett Rypien
- RB Myles Gaskin
- CB Dwight McGlothern
- DL Levi Drake Rodriguez
- OT Walter Rouse