What has seemingly been a long week is almost over. The Detroit Lions will host the Los Angeles Rams in the Wild Card Round on Sunday night, now just over 48 hours as of this writing.
The biggest headline on the injury front this week for the Lions is the status of tight end Sam LaPorta. It looked like he had suffered a significant left knee or leg injury in the moment last Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings, but an MRI revealed a hyperextended knee and a bone bruise. The updates all week have been optimistic, with the rookie tight end getting in some work on Thursday and seen on the practice field by reporters on Friday.
LaPorta had a huge brace on his left leg during Friday's practice, and if he plays it's fair to assume he'll have something smaller for the game Sunday night.
Here's a look at the final Wild Card Round injury report for the Lions.
- CB Jerry Jacobs (thigh/knee)-Out
- LB James Houston (ankle)-Out
- WR Kalif Raymond (knee)-Out
- TE James Mitchell (hand)-Out
- TE Sam LaPorta (knee)-Questionable
- DL John Cominsky (illness)-Questionable
- WR Jameson Williams (ankle)-No designation
- DB Brian Branch (wrist)-No designation
- OT Taylor Decker (rest)-No designation
- OG Graham Glasgow (rest)-No designation
- C Frank Ragnow (knee/back/toe)-No designation
- TE Brock Wright (hip)-No designation
- CB Cameron Sutton (toe/heel)-No designation
- QB Teddy Bridgewater (personal)-No designation
LaPorta is listed as questionable, as expected. He is a bit of a risk for a Saturday afternoon downgrade, but it looks like will play on Sunday night barring a substantial setback.
Raymond suffered a knee injury in Week 18 against the Vikings, after missing practice all week he is out. The Lions will turn to Amon-Ra St. Brown, Donovan Peoples-Jones or Maurice Alexander to return punts on Sunday night. Alexander could be elevated from the practice squad for the first time all season.
Mitchell popped up on the injury report with a hand issue on Thursday, and he will be out on Sunday night.
According to Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press on Thursday, Jacobs has been told he will be placed on IR, ending his season and quite possibly his Lions' career. On Friday, head coach Dan Campbell said roster transactions will come on Saturday, and Jacobs going to IR will presumably be one of the moves.
Houston got in full practices all week, but he is out and will not be activated for Sunday night's game. His 21-day return window from IR expires next Wednesday.
Williams practiced in full all week, so he will be back after missing the regular season finale with an ankle injury. Wright missed the last three games with a hip injury, and he will also play Sunday night after practicing fully all week.
Here's a look at the Wild Card Round injury report for the Rams.
Earlier on Friday, Rams' head coach Sean McVay said safety Jordan Fuller, tight end Tyler Higbee, guard Joe Noteboom, guard Kevin Dotson and linebacker Troy Reeder would be listed as questionable for Sunday night's game.
- S Jordan Fuller (ankle)-Questionable
- TE Tyler Higbee (shoulder)-Questionable
- OG Kevin Dotson (shoulder)-Questionable
- OG Joe Noteboom (foot)-Questionable
- LB Troy Reeder (knee)-Questionable
- NT Bobby Brown III (illness)-Questionable
- OT Rob Havenstein (non-injury related/rest)-No designation
- C Brian Allen-No designation (non-injury related/rest)-No designation
- OT Alaric Jackson (non-injury related/personal)-No designation