The Detroit Lions are virtually locked into the No. 3 seed in the NFC, with a slim chance to bump up to the No. 2 seed with win and losses later Sunday by the Philadelphia Eagles and the Dallas Cowboys. But starters will play, at least as long as it makes sense to have them play.
On the injury front, as has been the case since the bye week, the Lions are in solid shape. Defensive back C.J. Gardner-Johnson and defensive tackle Alim McNeill have been active from IR to make their returns to action against the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday.
Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams suffered an ankle injury against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 17, and after not practicing all week it was no surprise when he was ruled out on Friday. Tight end Brock Wright (hip) will miss his third straight game, and edge rusher James Houston will not be activated off IR until at least next week for the Wild Card Round.
The Vikings have a slim chance to make the playoffs, with a win over the Lions and lots of help. So that may be enough for Dan Campbell to keep starters in the game for awhile.
Here are the Week 18 inactives for the Lions.
- WR Jameson Williams
- TE Brock Wright
- DL John Cominsky
- DE Charles Harris
- QB Hendon Hooker (emergency No. 3 quarterback)
- CB Steven Gilmore
- DT Brodric Martin
Cominsky is an interesting and surprising healthy scratch, but it's easy to chalk that up to him getting a full veteran's rest day. Hooker is the emergency third quarterback again, while Harris, Gilmore and Martin are healthy scratches.
Here are the Week 18 inactives for the Vikings. They ruled six players out of Friday, which makes up most of their inactives list.
- CB Byron Murphy Jr.
- OT Brian O'Neill
- CB Mekhi Blackmon
- S Theo Jackson
- WR Jalen Nailor
- DT Jaquelin Roy
- OG Ed Ingram
- QB Jaren Hall