In training camp, the big word with injuries is caution. There's no sense pushing it with, as an example, a soft tissue injury and making it worse at any point, let alone the first week. Players placed on the PUP or NFI lists, like Emmanuel Moseley and Marvin Jones respectively for the Detroit Lions, can come off and practice whenever they're deemed ready.
The Lions got a huge injury scare on Monday this week, when defensive back C.J Gardner-Johnson suffered what initially looked to be bad right leg injury. But that proverbial bullet was dodged, and Gardner-Johnson has been deemed day-to-day.
There have been some others players out or limited during the early part of camp for the Lions. Nothing appears to be serious, but again caution is the easy word with four days of no pads leading into the first day wearing pads on Friday.
After Day 5 of Lions training camp, here's a roundup of injury updates for the Lions. Hat-tip to Jeremy Reisman of Pride of Detroit for on-site insight.
Detroit Lions injury report: After Day 5 of training camp
Gardner-Johnson, Jones and Jameson Williams did not participate fully on Friday, as head coach Dan Campbelll deemed all three "day-to-day" before practice. Gardner-Johnson is not at full speed yet, of course, but he's making progress. Jones has never seemed to be facing a lengthy absence with a back issue, and Williams didn't appear to be dealing with anything serious.
Justin Rogers of The Detroit News captured the "rehabbers"--Gardner-Johnson and Williams-- rehabbing."
The rehabbers rehabbing. pic.twitter.com/LAvS6FSdbT
— Justin Rogers (@Justin_Rogers) July 28, 2023
Rookie defensive back Brian Branch missed practice on Wednesday, but returned Friday without apparent limitations. Campbell called it a foot injury, with no further details beyond it wasn't serious.
Guard Halapoulivaati Vaitai missed practice Wednesday, but returned on a limited basis Friday. Campbell said he took a blow to the back, but nothing significant enough to be a concern after "Big V" missed all of last season with a back injury. Graham Glasgow seems to be taking an early lead in the battle to be the Lions' starting right guard.
Cornerback Emmmanuel Moseley has continued to rehab his torn ACL away from the team. Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press reported he had a cleanup procedure on his knee recently. Campbell would not address that, but he did say Moseley will be back in the building on Monday.