The Detroit Lions had their bye week at a point in the season where it would be considered ideal to have it--Week 9, of an 18-week regular season. On the injury front for some key players, the week off was sure to be very beneficial.
On a weekly basis this season, the Lions have either been without a notable player or two going in and/or had someone suffer an injury during a game and then miss subsequent time. Week 1 was not even immune, as left tackle Taylor Decker emerged from that game with an ankle injury that cost him the following two games. From there, the injury list has been long on the way to 6-2 record at the bye week.
In Week 8 against the Las Vegas Raiders, the Lions were notably without running back David Montgomery, center Frank Ragnow and left guard Jonah Jackson. On Monday head coach Dan Campbell was optimistic about all three being able to play in Week 10 against the Los Angeles Chargers.
The Lions got back to full work on Tuesday, with new wide receiver Donovan-Peoples Jones out there for his first practice with the team.
Detroit Lions are literally as healthy as they've been all season
The on-site accounting of players seen/available for the open portion of Tuesday's practice was notable. All 53 players on the active roster were present and accounted for by reporters, of course including Montgomery, Ragnow and Jackson.
Since the practices heading into the Thursday night season opener against the Kansas City Chiefs, it's fair to assume the Lions have not had all 53 players on the active roster on the practice field.
Two notable absences from then to now would safety C.J, Gardner-Johnson, who is likely out for the season with a torn pectoral, and edge rusher James Houston, who is still on IR with a fractured ankle. But other than that, as is ideal coming off the bye week and heading for the stretch run of the season, this is as healthy as the Lions have been since Week 1.