As the Detroit Lions (7-5) prepare for a primetime showdown with the Dallas Cowboys (6-5-1) on Thursday Night Football, Tuesday’s injury report painted a mixed picture for a team still very much in the thick of the NFC playoff race. With key contributors on both sides of the ball either sidelined or limited, Detroit’s depth will be tested under the national spotlight.
Let’s break down where things stand as the Lions head into a short week.
Out for the Season: Terrion Arnold
First, the most definitive news: rookie cornerback Terrion Arnold is done for the year.
After suffering a shoulder injury that required surgery, the Lions placed him on injured reserve. His absence thins out a secondary that’s already been juggling injuries much of the season.
DNP (Did Not Practice):
- **WR Amon-Ra St.
Brown (ankle)**
- WR Kalif Raymond (ankle)
- TE Brock Wright (neck)
- TE Shane Zylstra (knee) - 19 days left in his injury evaluation window
- LT Taylor Decker (shoulder/rest)
- RT Penei Sewell (shoulder)
- S Kerby Joseph (knee)
Let’s start with the biggest name on the list: Amon-Ra St. Brown.
The Pro Bowl wideout has now missed back-to-back practices after injuring his ankle early in the Thanksgiving Day game. While there’s some optimism that he could return sooner rather than later, head coach Dan Campbell made it clear it’s still a day-to-day situation.
“He’s better. That’s the best way to say it,” Campbell said. “I don’t see him practicing today, but I know this: if he can play, he’ll play.”
St. Brown echoed the uncertainty, saying it’s likely to come down to a game-time decision.
The outlook is less encouraging for Kalif Raymond, who also missed practice with an ankle injury and is expected to sit out a second straight game. That leaves Detroit thin at receiver, with Jameson Williams, Tom Kennedy, and Isaac TeSlaa likely to see increased reps on Thursday.
At tight end, Brock Wright remains sidelined with a neck issue, and Shane Zylstra, who just returned to practice this week after a long layoff due to an ankle injury, is now dealing with a knee problem. That’s a concerning development, especially with Zylstra still in the early stages of his 21-day evaluation window.
On the offensive line, Taylor Decker’s absence appears more precautionary than problematic. He’s been managing a shoulder issue all season, and this looks like a typical midweek rest day.
Penei Sewell, however, is a different story. His shoulder injury is new, and while there’s not much clarity yet, it’s something to monitor closely as game day approaches.
Losing Sewell, one of the best right tackles in football, would be a major blow.
Then there’s Kerby Joseph, who had just returned to practice for the first time in over a month before being downgraded to a DNP. Campbell emphasized that this wasn’t necessarily a setback, but rather part of the process as Joseph works his way back from a knee injury.
“He’s been rehabbing, doing things on the side, but that’s kind of his first time being around it in individual drills,” Campbell said. “You always hope for a little more, but that doesn’t mean it’s a setback.”
Still, with limited time before kickoff, Joseph’s availability for Thursday is very much in doubt.
Limited Participants:
- RB Sione Vaki (thumb)
- C Graham Glasgow (knee)
- G Kayode Awosika (foot) - New addition to the report
- S Brian Branch (toe/ankle)
There’s some good news here. Sione Vaki, Graham Glasgow, and Brian Branch have now logged two straight limited sessions, which points to a solid chance they’ll be ready to go against Dallas. Branch, in particular, has been a key piece in Detroit’s secondary, offering versatility and physicality at the nickel spot.
The new concern is Kayode Awosika, who popped up on the report with a foot injury. If that occurred during Tuesday’s practice, it could leave Detroit even thinner on the interior offensive line. With Halapoulivaati Vaitai already on injured reserve, rookie Miles Frazier could be in line for meaningful snaps if Awosika can’t suit up.
What It All Means Heading Into Thursday
This is shaping up to be a week where Detroit’s depth could define the outcome. The Lions are already battling a short week and a tough opponent in Dallas, and now they’re doing it with injuries stacking up at wide receiver, tight end, and along the offensive line.
If St. Brown can’t go, Jameson Williams will need to step into a much larger role.
The second-year wideout has flashed big-play ability but hasn’t been asked to carry the passing game. That could change in a hurry.
On the line, the health of Sewell, Decker, and Awosika will be critical. Detroit’s offensive identity is built around a physical, dominant front. If that foundation starts to crack, it could impact everything from the run game to Jared Goff’s timing in the pocket.
And defensively, the potential absence of Joseph and the continued recovery of Branch mean Detroit’s secondary will once again need to be creative - and resilient - against a Dallas offense that’s capable of putting up points in bunches.
Bottom line: this is a pivotal week for the Lions, not just in terms of playoff positioning, but in how they respond to adversity. Injuries are part of the grind, especially in December. How Detroit navigates this stretch will say a lot about their postseason ceiling.