For the Lions this week, déjà vu was a double-edged sword. After another blowout victory, the Lions unfortunately had an injury to another front-seven defensive player in Malcolm Rodriguez. The last time the Lions blew out a team (Cowboys), they lost Aidan Hutchinson and Kyle Peko.
The game was otherwise a healthy one — although you never want to see your QB limping. Fortunately, the injury to Jared Goff does not appear significant.
On Monday, Dan Campbell in his press conference was not asked and did not comment on any injuries in this game.
Here are the injuries I saw along with suspected diagnoses:
Malcolm Rodriguez (1q 12:57) left ankle sprain
On Rodrigo’s first play which was punt coverage, a Titans player crashed into him from the side which likely caused an eversion injury to his left ankle. Eversion injuries can cause high ankle sprains or medial ankle sprains.
He was taped up and returned to the game for one more play which was kickoff coverage. During that play which was his last, his ankle was clearly not stable as it gave out on him.
Immediately after the game, Dan Campbell tentatively stated: “I don’t think it’ll take the rest of the season.”
An update on Monday by @Schultz_Report provided significantly better-than-expected news in that it’s a only minor ankle sprain and he’s expected to miss just one game. That means he should be back for Sunday Night Football vs the Texans.
Source: #Lions LB Malcolm Rodriguez avoided a high ankle sprain in Sunday’s game vs the #Titans.
He aggravated an old ankle injury, but it’s nothing severe. Rodrigo is likely to miss Week 9, but should return for Week 10 vs. the #Texans. pic.twitter.com/M9SrEiVZmU
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) October 28, 2024
Malcolm Rodriguez L ankle injury video
-Hurt on his very 1st play punt coverage. His 2nd play, ankle gives out on him. Did not return.
-Low impact from lateral side likely caused eversion ankle injury
-Suspecting high ankle sprain or medial ankle sprain pic.twitter.com/XlwNTlindD— Jimmy Liao MD | Detroit Lions Morning Rounds (@JimmyLiaoMD) October 28, 2024
Jared Goff (1q 7:47) right low ankle sprain
Credit to the Fox broadcast for alerting us to the moment of this injury as it was almost imperceptible in real-time. In slow motion, you can see the right ankle suffer a mild inversion which can cause a low ankle sprain.
A low ankle sprain, if not severe, can be taped and played through. That’s what happened here as Goff returned with a tape job and didn’t miss any plays until garbage time.
Goff may be sore this week and may even have limited or no practice days, but he should play vs the Packers without significant limitations.
Jared Goff R low ankle sprain injury video
-Hurt midway thru 1q. Taped and finished game.
-May be sore this week and get rest day(s) but no significant concern for next game vs Packers. pic.twitter.com/np42AHRxRd— Jimmy Liao MD | Detroit Lions Morning Rounds (@JimmyLiaoMD) October 28, 2024
Kalif Raymond (4q 8:15) head trauma
After a monster day, Raymond had his head slammed onto the turf. He was holding his head with both hands briefly and was slow in getting up. There were no signs of fencing or loss of consciousness which would have definitively signaled a concussion.
While he didn’t return to the game for garbage time, he did pass the sideline concussion evaluation and seemed fine after the game. He’s not out-of-the-woods yet as delayed concussion symptoms are possible and generally require self-reporting. If we don’t hear anything in the next couple days, Raymond should be a full-go vs the Packers.
Kalif Raymond head injury video
-Head gets slammed hard onto turf. Holding head after.
-Passed concussion eval which is great
-Unlikely but self-reporting of delayed concussion symptoms possible. Keep an eye on it the next couple days. pic.twitter.com/VjfPPYKmZE— Jimmy Liao MD | Detroit Lions Morning Rounds (@JimmyLiaoMD) October 28, 2024
