As the Detroit Lions (8-6) gear up for a pivotal Week 16 clash with the Pittsburgh Steelers (8-6) at Ford Field, both teams are navigating a series of injuries that could have real implications on Sunday’s outcome. With the playoff picture tightening, every snap, every player, and yes-every injury-matters. Let’s break down where things stand after Thursday’s practice reports.
Detroit Lions Injury Update
Did Not Practice
- C Graham Glasgow (knee) This one raised some eyebrows.
Glasgow was a late addition to the injury report, popping up Thursday with a knee issue after not being listed at all on Wednesday. That’s never a great sign, especially for a key veteran on the offensive line.
Mid-week injuries can be tricky-sometimes they’re precautionary, sometimes they’re the start of a bigger problem. The Lions held a walkthrough on Wednesday, so it’s possible this is more about load management.
Still, Glasgow’s status will be one to monitor closely heading into the weekend.
- S Kerby Joseph (knee) Joseph’s situation is trending in the wrong direction.
He’s now missed multiple practices after reportedly suffering a setback last week. With time running out in the regular season, the question becomes whether the Lions will try to get him back on the field-or start thinking long-term and potentially shut him down.
Limited Participation
- LT Taylor Decker (shoulder) Decker was back on the field Thursday after sitting out Wednesday, which aligns with his usual in-season routine.
The veteran tackle has been managing his shoulder for a while now, and the Lions seem comfortable giving him rest days during the week. Barring any setbacks, he should be good to go.
- OL Trystan Colon (ankle) Colon is working through a new ankle injury but has practiced both days this week. That’s a positive sign for his availability, though the Lions’ interior line depth is in decent shape with both Kayode Awosika and Christian Mahogany practicing fully.
- OT Giovanni Manu (undisclosed) Manu is officially back on the practice field, and that starts his 21-day evaluation window.
While it’s unlikely he’ll factor into the rotation this season, this is more about building toward 2026. Head coach Dan Campbell emphasized that Manu simply needs reps-real, live-action reps against guys like Marcus Davenport and Aidan Hutchinson.
If anything, this is a developmental move with an eye toward the future.
- CB Khalil Dorsey Robertson (hand) Robertson is trending in the right direction.
He’s been practicing with a wrap or club on his injured hand, and the expectation is that he’ll be available this weekend. It’s not ideal, but it’s manageable-especially if he’s able to contribute in sub-packages or on special teams.
Full Participation
- S Sione Vaki (thumb) Vaki’s back to full participation after managing a thumb injury, and that’s great news for Detroit’s special teams. He’s been a spark plug in that phase of the game, and getting him back to full strength only helps the Lions’ overall depth.
- G Christian Mahogany (knee) Mahogany has been inching closer to returning from injured reserve, and this week looks like his best shot yet.
He’s stacked multiple practices and is pushing to be activated in time for Sunday. The Lions are hopeful he can slot in at left guard, but as Campbell noted, they’ll know more after Friday’s session.
If Mahogany is cleared, he could be a key reinforcement for a line that’s been banged up all year.
- G Kayode Awosika (ankle) Awosika practiced last week but didn’t play.
This week, he’s ramped things up and looks more likely to be available. Between him and Mahogany, the Lions have options at left guard-and that’s a welcome change after weeks of patchwork lineups.
- S Khalil Harper (concussion) Harper has now logged multiple practices after being sidelined by a concussion and looks to be progressing through the league’s protocol. If he clears the final hurdles, he could return to a starting role in the secondary-a big boost for a defense that’s been dealing with injuries on the back end.
Pittsburgh Steelers Injury Update
The Steelers are dealing with their own share of issues, especially on defense.
Did Not Practice
- LG Isaac Seumalo (triceps)
- C Zach Frazier (triceps) - Added Thursday
- EDGE T.J. Watt (lung)
- EDGE Nick Herbig (hamstring)
- DL Cam Heyward (rest) - Added Thursday
- CB James Pierre (calf)
- S Jabrill Peppers (illness) - Added Thursday
The headline here is Watt, who remains sidelined with a punctured lung suffered during a medical procedure gone wrong. The injury already kept him out of Monday’s game, and there’s growing concern he may not be back before the playoffs. That’s a massive loss for Pittsburgh’s pass rush-and a potential sigh of relief for Detroit’s offensive line, depending on who’s available to block.
Seumalo and Frazier both dealing with triceps injuries puts the Steelers’ interior line in a tough spot, especially if neither can go. Add in Herbig and Pierre, and Pittsburgh’s defense is looking thin at multiple levels.
Limited Participation
- WR Ben Skowronek (illness/hand)
- LT Andrus Peat (concussion)
- DT Keeanu Benton (ankle) - Added Thursday
- LS Christian Kuntz (knee) - Added Thursday
Peat’s return would be key for the Steelers’ protection schemes, especially with Watt out and the defense needing more help from the offense. Benton and Kuntz being added to the report late in the week is something to watch, especially with Pittsburgh already juggling injuries across the roster.
Full Participation
- QB Aaron Rodgers (left wrist)
- DT Derrick Harmon (knee)
Rodgers and Harmon are full participants and expected to play. For Pittsburgh, that’s at least a bit of stability amid a week of uncertainty.
What It All Means
Both teams are 8-6, both are fighting for playoff positioning, and both are banged up. The Lions’ offensive line depth will be tested, especially if Glasgow can’t go. But with Mahogany and Awosika trending toward availability, Detroit may be better equipped to weather the storm than they were earlier in the season.
On the other side, the Steelers are missing key defensive pieces, most notably T.J. Watt. If he’s out again, the Lions’ offense-particularly Jared Goff-could have a little more breathing room in the pocket.
This one’s shaping up to be a battle of attrition as much as execution. And with postseason hopes on the line, every injury update from here on out carries just a little more weight.