Detroit Lions Week 17 injury report: C.J. Gardner-Johnson among three ruled out vs. Cowboys

The Detroit Lions have a path to being the No. 1 seed in the NFC playoffs, win out and have the San Francisco 49ers lose at least one of the final two games. Of course the winning out piece of the equation for the Lions comes with the challenge of having to beat the Dallas Cowboys on the road in Week 17, on the Saturday night primetime stage.

The injury headlines have been positive for the Lions this week, with defensive back C.J. Gardner-Johnson close to completing his return from a torn pectoral and the 21-day return window being opened on second-year edge rusher James Houston. Left tackle Taylor Decker caused a little stir by missing practice on Wednesday with a groin injury, but head coach Dan Campbell said he'll be good to go.

Here is a look at the Week 17 injury report for the Lions, with designations for Saturday night's game.

• DB C.J. Gardner-Johnson (pectoral)-Out (On IR, designated for return)
• LB James Houston (ankle)-Out (On IR, designated for return)
• TE Brock Wright (hip)-Out
• CB Cameron Sutton (toe)-Questionable
• OT Taylor Decker (groin)-No designation
• LB Derrick Barnes (shoulder)-No designation
• FB Jason Cabinda (knee)-No designation
• C Frank Ragnow (toe/back)-No designation
• CB Jerry Jacobs (hamstring)-No designation
• OT Penei Sewell (shoulder)-No designation

In a mild surprise, Gardner-Johnson has been ruled out for the game against the Cowboys. So he now seems sure to play in Week 18 against the Minnesota Vikings.

Cabinda was activated off IR, with corresponding moves to create that roster spot as cornerback Chase Lucas and linebacker Trevor Nowaske were waived. There is an open roster spot now with that 2-for-1, with options to fill it (Michael Badgley, Bruce Irvin, Tyson Alualu).

As mentioned Houston began practicing on Thursday, and with the short turnaround it's no surprise he won't be activated and is out for Saturday night.

Wright will miss his second straight game with a hip injury. James Mitchell stepped in as the No. 2 tight end for the Lions last week (29 offensive snaps), and will presumably do so again this week.

Sutton popped up on the injury report after missing Thursday's practice with a toe issue. That late-week injury wouldn't be ideal for him to play heading into a Sunday game, let alone a Saturday game like this week. Not that Sutton has been great this season, but his absence would leave the cornerback depth chart looking mighty suspect going against the Cowboys.

On the good news front injury-wise, Decker, Barnes, Jacobs, Sewell and Ragnow are good to go. For the third game in a row, the Lions will have their full starting offensive line.

Here are the Week 17 injury designations for the Cowboys. Of particular note is left tackle Tyron Smith, who missed practice on Tuesday and Wednesday before getting in a limited session on Thursday.

• RB Rico Dowdle (ankle)-Out
• DT Jonathan Hankins (knee/ankle)-Out
• OT Tyron Smith (back)-Questionable
• DE Viliami Fehoko (knee)-Questionable (On IR, designated for return)
• S Malik Hooker (ankle)-No designation
• OT Chuma Edoga (toe)-No designation
• RB Hunter Luepke (thigh)-No designation
• OT Matt Waletzko (shoulder)-No designation