As the Detroit Lions started their preparation for a big Week 7 matchup against the Minnesota Vikings on Wednesday, initial indications from reporters on-site for the open portion of practice were a little troubling. But ultimately, the injury report for the day wasn't as bad as it seemed it could have been.
Wednesday injury reports can be easy to overreact to, especially when notable names appear on a team's first injury report of a typical week. But they're also tricky to take a whole lot from, with general rest days or limited participation due to a relatively minor injury often in play.
But Thursdays game be more telling, in terms of how a player will be listed on Friday's final injury report of the week. On that front, there is a potential huge concern for the Lions looking to Sunday's game
Here's Thursday's practice report for the Lions.
Second Detroit Lions Week 7 injury fosters big concern
- CB Carlton Davis (quad): Non-participant
- OG Kevin Zeitler (groin): Limited partipant
- DB Brian Branch (knee): Full participant
- C Frank Ragnow (rest): Full participant
- OT Dan Skipper (ribs): Full participant
- OG Christian Mahogany (illness)-Full participant
Davis left the Week 6 game against the Cowboys, but he cleared concussion protocol and could have returned had the game not been a blowout. The quad injury is a new (or previously undisclosed) issue, and now he has missed the first two days of the practice week.
Ragnow and Zeitler got veteran rest days on Wednesday. On Thursday Zeitler was new on the injury report, listed as limited due to a groin issue.
Branch returned to a full practice after being limited on Wednesday.
Skipper was a full participant on Thursday after not practicing Wednesday.
Mahogany is working his way back from an illness that sidelined him during training camp. He now has 11 days left in the 21-day window to be added to the active roster, or he'll have to be shut down for the season.
This week the Lions of course will have to deal with Justin Jefferson, who defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn called the best wide receiver in the NFL when he spoke to reporters on Thursday. Davis would be in line to matchup against Jefferson plenty on Sunday, and if he can't go Kindle Vildor would be in line to start in his place. No offense to Vildor, but he is simply not a starting-caliber NFL cornerback and the Vikings will have a bullseye on him if he starts. Rookie Ennis Rakestraw could also be in line for a bigger role.