For the second time in the last three weeks, the Detroit Lions will face an NFC North opponent with first place in the division on the line. This time it's on the road against the Green Bay Packers, in their first outdoor game of the season.
For his part, with rain in the forecast for Green Bay on Sunday, head coach Dan Campbell is relishing the opportunity.
Dan Campbell on Lambeau Field: "It’s one of those things that God created. Where football began. We’ll be in the elements and wearing the all-whites with the grass stains, it’s gonna be good ol' football the way it’s meant to be played. Love the good throwback games."@NFLonFOX
— Will Burchfield (@burchie_kid) November 1, 2024
It's a fairly tame week on the injury front for the Lions this week, with a lot of players transitioning from a rest day on Wednesday to a full practice on Thursday. In particular, the ankle injury quarterback Jared Goff suffered last Sunday is a non-issue.
However, Campbell did rule out defensive lineman Josh Paschal and linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez for Sunday's game when he spoke to reporters on Friday morning.
Here's the final Week 9 injury report for the Lions, with statuses for Sunday's game.
- DL Josh Paschal (illness)-Out
- LB Malcolm Rodriguez-Out
- DT Brodric Martin (knee)-Out
- DL Mekhi Wingo (ankle)-Doubtful
- RB Sione Vaki (knee)-Doubtful
- QB Jared Goff (ankle)-No designation
- OT Taylor Decker (chest)-No designation
- C Frank Ragnow (rest)-No designation
- OG Graham Glasgow (rest)-No designation
- OG Kevin Zeitler (rest)-No designation
- DL Levi Onwuzurike (rest)-No designation
- DT DJ Reader (rest)-No designation
Paschal will miss a second straight game after something came up during an annual cancer screening last week. It doesn't seen as a long-term thing, and Campbell said he hopes to have Paschal back next week.
Rodriguez suffered an ankle injury in Week 8 against the Titans, and NFL insider Jordan Schultz reported he was likely to miss Week 9 but should able to return in Week 10 against the Houston Texans.
Wingo was a new addition to the injury report on Thursday, and he did not practice on Friday as he only worked off to the side with trainers. Being listed as doubtful is better than being ruled out, so the door is at least slightly open for him to play on Sunday.
Martin is three days into the 21-day window to be put on the active roster. Campbell's comments on Friday suggested that three-week window may be taken right to the end.
Vaki went from not practicing Wednesday to being a full participant on Thursday to out again on Friday. His large role on special teams will have to be filled by someone else if he can't go on Sunday.
Here's the final Week 9 injury report for the Packers. Safety Evan Williams is out, starting center Josh Myers is doubtful and three notable players are among four who are questionable.
- S Evan Williams (hamstring)-Out
- C Josh Myers (wrist)-Doubtful
- CB Jaire Alexander (knee)-Questionable
- QB Jordan Love (groin)-Questionable
- RB Josh Jacobs (ankle)-Questionable
- CB Corey Ballentine (ankle)-Questionable
- DL Kenny Clark (toe/shoulder)-No designation
- OG Elgton Jenkins (glute)-No designation
- OT Rasheed Walker (knee)-No designation
- DL Devonte Wyatt (ankle)-No designation
- LB Quay Walker (concussion)-No designation
- DL Lukas Van Ness (ankle)-No designation