If the Detroit Lions leave U.S. Bank Stadium with a win on Sunday afternoon, they will take over first place in the NFC North. If the host Minnesota Vikings win, they will stay undefeated and take a two-game lead (with a game in-hand0 over the defending division champions.
The headline-making injury over the last several days for the Lions is of course the season-ending fractured left tibia and fibula star defensive Aidan Hutchinson suffered in Week 6 against the Dallas Cowboys. There remains a faint idea Hutchinson could return for the Super Bowl if the Lions get there,
But moving on to who may or not be available this week, here is the final Week 7 injury report for the Lions.
- OG Christian Mahogany (illness)-Out
- CB Carlton Davis (quad)-Questionable
- OG Kevin Zeitler (hip)-Questionable
- C Frank Ragnow (rest)-No designation
- DB Brian Branch (knee)-No designation
- OT Dan Skipper (ribs)-No designation
After missing practice on Wednesday and Thursday, head coach Dan Campbell indicated Davis was trending in the right direction and that was backed up by his full participation on Friday. Via Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press, Davis said he's good to go for Sunday.
If Davis is unable to play, Kindle Vildor would be in line to start in his place opposite rookie Terrion Arnold.
Zeitler went from a veteran rest day on Wednesday to being listed as a limited participant on Thursday with a groin issue to not practicing on Friday due to a hip issue. Campbell wasn't overly optimistic about his ability to play on Sunday.
If Zeitler can't go, Campbell said Kayode Awosika would start in his place at right guard.
#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
Branch, Ragnow and Skipper were full participants on Thursday and Friday, and each has no designation for Sunday.
Mahogany has 10 days left in his 21-day window to added to the active roster as he works his way back from an illness, and he will miss Sunday's game.
Here's the final Week 7 injury report for the Vikings.
Running back Aaron Jones is listed as questionable, but Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported he's "likely" to play on Sunday. Former Lions' tight end T.J. Hockenson is listed as questionable, but his still in his 21-day return window from his torn ACL and would have to be added to the 53-man roster to play Sunday.
- LB Blake Cashman (toe)-Out
- CB Akayleb Evans (hip)-Out
- RB Aaron Jones (hamstring)-Questionable
- DT Harrison Phillips (shoulder)-Questionable
- OLB Patrick Jones II (shoulder)-Questionable
- TE T.J. Hockenson (knee)-Questionable (on IR)
- OG Dalton Risner (back)-Questionable (on IR)
- S Theo Jackson (hand)-No designation
- TE Josh Oliver (wrist)-No designation