DETROIT LIONS
The two main injury concerns coming out of last game were Penei Sewell and Jameson Williams and they remain question marks for this Sunday. Surprises popped up during the week with starters Kerby Joseph and Marcus Davenport.
(NP = No Practice, LP = Limited Practice, FP = Full Practice, UL= Unlisted)
Penei Sewell NP NP LP QUESTIONABLE – ankle, OT
On video, Sewell appeared to get rolled up on the right leg which often causes a high ankle sprain. He didn’t miss any snaps and seemed fine immediately after the game.
Penei Sewell ankle injury video
-Likely R high ankle sprain as he gets rolled up on. Didn’t miss a play.
-DNP Wed. He says he’s good but high ankles can be tricky.
-Availability vs Bucs in question. Hope he can get up to at least LP by Friday.
-Nothing long-term pic.twitter.com/0b241yJCk0— Jimmy Liao MD | Detroit Lions Morning Rounds (@JimmyLiaoMD) September 11, 2024
However, high ankles can be tricky and sideline players longer than you might initially think. With an LP on Friday, it is possible Sewell could play.
Last year, Taylor Decker suffered a similar injury, finished the game, then missed the next two.
I dug more into tape and found clear left high ankle sprain for #Lions Taylor Decker in 4q 10:11 final scoring drive
-Likely mild severity since played rest of game without obvious limitation.
-Could have sprains on both ankles (see prev video) https://t.co/a3kjm3IbOK pic.twitter.com/QwvcCbNmrH— Jimmy Liao MD | Detroit Lions Morning Rounds (@JimmyLiaoMD) September 14, 2023
Also last year, Jonah Jackson had a similar injury, finished the game, then missed the next three.
Jonah Jackson L high ankle sprain injury video
-Rolled up on, limps after
-Hurt 1st qtr, still played rest of game
-Similar to Taylor Decker game 1 who never left game but missed next 2
-With Vaitai available and Glasgow playing well, Jackson likely misses 1-2 games#OnePride pic.twitter.com/CsZnw5WXd9— Jimmy Liao MD | Detroit Lions Morning Rounds (@JimmyLiaoMD) October 10, 2023
A factor affecting Sewell’s availability this weekend is that the Lions might take extra caution in an expected 20-game season. Missing 1-2 games in a long season is not a huge deal and even carries benefits in load and risk reduction.
Jameson Williams LP LP LP QUESTIONABLE – ankle, WR
On video, there was a very slight external rotation of the left ankle which likely caused a mild high ankle sprain. He did finish the game in spectacular fashion with a 52-yard TD reception.
Jameson Williams L high ankle injury video
-Very slight external rotation as foot gets trapped
-Finished game with no problems
-Should be full-go #TBvsDET
-Multiple injuries to #WeAreTheKrewe secondary means Jamo could have another big day #OnePride pic.twitter.com/ptNazBi9yy— Jimmy Liao MD | Detroit Lions Morning Rounds (@JimmyLiaoMD) September 10, 2024
With three LP’s, I would expect him to play with minimal to no limitations. While his left ankle may be sore, after taking a look at the Bucs depleted secondary, it may magically feel a lot better.
Kerby Joseph NP LP LP QUESTIONABLE – hamstring, S
Last Sunday, he camouflaged himself in the end zone as he picked off Matthew Stafford. This Sunday, he might be camouflaging himself on the bench.
The hamstring was a surprise as there were no signs of injury during the game and he played until the final defensive snap. It’s possible he hurt it during the week. Having two LP’s to end the week is reassuring that it isn’t serious.
If this Joseph can’t go, the other Joseph (Brandon) will likely take his place.
Marcus Davenport NP NP NP DOUBTFUL – groin, DE
Davenport played until the penultimate defensive play. I didn’t see any signs of injury throughout the game but groin injuries are hard to see.
The groin is a very complex area with many possible injuries, so without any details, it’s difficult to prognosticate. Hopefully, it is just a mild muscle strain of the hip adductors or hip flexors.
While he will be out this Sunday, the doubtful designation is a good sign that this is a short-term issue and he may be ready within the next two weeks.
DJ Reader FP FP FP IN – quad, DT
The grueling, nine-month road to recovery from a quad tendon tear that also included a knee scope speed bump will end this Sunday. Expect limited snaps to ease this big man in.
Carlton Davis FP FP FP IN – chest, CB
After letting an interception slip through his hands, Davis landed on his elbow likely causing a mild rib or ab injury.
Carlton Davis video. Reportedly is fine so likely just wind. pic.twitter.com/cViwrIGAem
— Jimmy Liao MD | Detroit Lions Morning Rounds (@JimmyLiaoMD) September 9, 2024
The disability will be minimal but there might be some discomfort with chest expansion movements like deep breaths, extending arms, or torso rotation. My medical advice would be to just catch the ball next time.
Ifeatu Melifonwu NP NP NP OUT – ankle, S
An injury likely suffered in the 2nd preseason game is still lingering and starting to become a chronic concern.
Loren Strickland FP FP FP IN – thumb, S
With Melifonwu out and Kerby Joseph questionable, the door could be open for this undrafted rookie to be active this weekend in a backup role.
Isaiah Williams UL LP NP OUT – abdomen, WR
Assuming Jamo is playing, Isaiah Williams’ absence will have minimal impact.
Dan Campbell Friday press conference decryption
Campbell seemed unsure about Sewell’s availability this weekend but it doesn’t sound long-term.
When asked if Sewell’s injury was a high ankle, Campbell said “I think it’s a little bit more medial than that”. High ankle isn’t really a medial vs lateral issue so hard to say what he meant here.
Campbell may have meant more distal which means the pain is lower down the leg thus any high ankle involvement is minimal which would be good.
If he truly meant medial, the deltoid ligament is on the medial side of the ankle and can be injured with the same mechanism of a high ankle sprain. For example, Taylor Decker had a deltoid ligament repair this offseason. If it was just a deltoid ligament sprain and not a high ankle syndesmosis injury, that should be a good thing.
TAMPA BAY BUCS
The Bucs suffered significant injuries coming out of week one specifically to the secondary where at least three players (Winfield, Hayes, Hall) and maybe four (Smith) from last week will be out. Also, line starters Kancey and Goedeke are out.
Calijah Kancey NP NP NP OUT – calf, DT
Kancey missed week one with this calf injury and will be out again on Sunday.
Last year, he had a calf strain in training camp that took four weeks to recover from. Then in his first game back in week one, he aggravated it and missed the next three games. With this kind of personal medical history, the Bucs are wise to be cautious.
Luke Goedeke LP NP NP OUT – concussion, OT
The Bucs starting RT might have had a re-emergence of concussion symptoms after Wednesday’s practice. This will be the second straight week that the Lions’ opponent is missing at least one OT.
Antoine Winfield Jr NP NP NP OUT – ankle, S
This impact starter got hurt last game and will be out this Sunday.
Zyon McCollum LP FP FP QUESTIONABLE – concussion, CB
This starting CB has passed through the concussion protocol and very likely will be available.
Josh Hayes NP NP NP OUT – ankle, CB
This backup CB left last game with an ankle injury and was later seen in a boot. That’s often a bad sign and turns out to be the case here.
Tykee Smith UL NP NP QUESTIONABLE – illness, DB
As if the Bucs secondary wasn’t hurting enough, this rookie DB who played 68% of snaps last game came down with an illness during the week.
Logan Hall LP FP FP QUESTIONABLE – foot, DE
Hall missed week one with this injury but two FP’s means he’s likely ready now.
KJ Britt LP FP FP IN – illness, LB
William Gholston LP FP FP IN – elbow, DT
Lavonte David UL UL LP IN – rest, OLB
Mike Evans UL UL LP IN – rest, WR
NOTABLES UNLISTED
Bryce Hall CB OUT
This backup CB fractured his ankle this past weekend and was placed on IR.
