Unfortunately, the Lions suffered many injuries in the Cardinals game. Some were obvious at the time, some were not. Credit the players for battling through.
Here are the injury videos in chronological order. The initial injury report won’t be out until Thursday, so we’ll get more clarity then and hopefully won’t have any more surprises.
Dan Skipper 1q 14:16 right torso
Dan Skipper R torso injury video
-Hurt at start of game, battled through to finish
-Every time went to bench, clearly labored and had it wrapped
-Contusion vs muscle/rib strain pic.twitter.com/LWc0zcI3Pl— Jimmy Liao MD | Detroit Lions Morning Rounds (@JimmyLiaoMD) September 25, 2024
Skipper might have landed on the defender’s elbow which could have caused a rib or torso contusion/strain. He was able to finish the game.
Terrion Arnold 1q 6:07 right knee
Terrion Arnold R knee injury video
-Hit in leg, fortunately leg not planted
-Visibly hobbling on sideline, knee briefly wrapped, but returned to game without wrap and played well
-Hope just a simple knee contusion but mild sprain possible pic.twitter.com/EbgMZ7GTwu— Jimmy Liao MD | Detroit Lions Morning Rounds (@JimmyLiaoMD) September 26, 2024
Hopefully, this is just a simple knee contusion but a mild sprain is possible. Arnold returned to the game and played well.
Ragnow 1q 1:51 left pec strain
Frank Ragnow L pec strain injury video
-1st quarter, missed no plays
-Partial tear (grade 1/2). Early reports suggest non-surgical, short-term injury.
-Could be back as soon as week 6 vs Cowboys pic.twitter.com/0a9d6Cy0FC— Jimmy Liao MD | Detroit Lions Morning Rounds (@JimmyLiaoMD) September 25, 2024
Ragnow finished the game and was wearing a brace in the second half. See my article for more details about his outlook.
Derrick Barnes 2q 12:07 right knee
Derrick Barnes R knee injury video
-Direct impact to knee, fortunately foot not planted
-Looks like lateral side hit which could cause MCL sprain.
-Placed on IR. If non-severe MCL, could be back in 4-6wks. pic.twitter.com/WKYGHwaKbM— Jimmy Liao MD | Detroit Lions Morning Rounds (@JimmyLiaoMD) September 25, 2024
Barnes left the game and has been placed on IR. Video suggests it could be an MCL sprain.
Sam LaPorta 2q 00:29 right low ankle sprain
Sam LaPorta R low ankle sprain injury video
-Inversion mechanism
-Returned to game intermittently
-Likely won’t miss any games. Nothing long-term. pic.twitter.com/2j4UgZcZXO— Jimmy Liao MD | Detroit Lions Morning Rounds (@JimmyLiaoMD) September 26, 2024
Good chance LaPorta will be available on Monday but ankle won’t be fully healed.
Alim McNeill 2q 00:17 shoulder
Alim McNeill shoulder injury video
-Unclear which shoulder is hurt. Guessing right side during the swim move.
-Missed entire 2nd half but good news is Dan Campbell called it day-to-day. pic.twitter.com/tXJscQZhMf— Jimmy Liao MD | Detroit Lions Morning Rounds (@JimmyLiaoMD) September 26, 2024
McNeill might have hurt his left AC joint when he landed on the ground. Dan Campbell called it day-to-day.
Marcus Davenport 3q 6:45 left elbow
Marcus Davenport L elbow injury video
-Forearm chopped down while elbow in flexion. Possible elbow flexor tear (biceps or brachialis).
-Returned with brace but after game placed on IR. Reportedly it’s a season-ender pic.twitter.com/JGWIyTLzHN— Jimmy Liao MD | Detroit Lions Morning Rounds (@JimmyLiaoMD) September 25, 2024
Video showed Davenport’s forearm getting chopped down while his elbow was in flexion. This could cause an elbow flexor tendon tear of the biceps or brachialis. He continued to try to play with an elbow brace but was hampered. He has been placed on IR and reportedly is out for the season.
Brian Branch 4q 6:06 concussion
Brian Branch concussion injury video
-Both players (Trey McBride) go low and both appear to try to lead with shoulder. Unfortunately, helmets collide and both suffered concussions. pic.twitter.com/4umy12naDM— Jimmy Liao MD | Detroit Lions Morning Rounds (@JimmyLiaoMD) September 25, 2024
Hopefully, we see Branch have a limited practice on Thursday but taking a game off might be a good idea.
