I decided to let Grok do some research on NFL injured reserve and it is really fascinating how consistent each position group from year to year the last five. According to numbers, we have been fortunate on the OL and seemingly normal in the defensive backfield. It breaks down as follows: 2025-2021
CB/S : 117, 112,110, 110, 104....553 total
OL: 102, 95, 98, 92, 88.....465 total
DL: 62, 59, 54, 58, 57.....290 total
LB: 50, 47, 48, 46, 52.....243 total
WR: 40, 39, 38, 36, 37......190 total
RB: 30, 29, 28, 27, 31.....145 total
TE: 21, 20, 18, 19, 17 .....95 total
QB: 13, 12, 12, 11, 13 ......61 total
K/P: 8, 7, 6. 7, 6....34 total
LS/FB: 2. 3. 3. 2, 2,....12 total
So, defensive backs and offensive lineman have as many IR placements as all the rest of the positions combined. This year is already the worst with 5 weeks to go. Of course this does not account for the significance of the player lost.
Justin, not sure this has been addressed but I believe branch will be going into final year of contract next year.. no fifth year option since he was a rd 2.. how do you think this Injury effects his status?
1) Tom Kennedy needs to be the kick and punt returner moving forward. He has been unstoppable the last couple of games in those roles and he can contribute nicely as a wr.
2) Mohammed needs to play more. That guy can rush the passer. Should be around 50/50 split with Davenport or 3 man rotation with Davenport/Mohammed/Hutchinson...only to give Hutch some rest.
3) We are going on year 3 now where injuries are ruining the season. We lost the champ game against SF because we had no DB's. Last year the defensive injuries ruined a 15-2 season, now this year DB's again and O-line has been more banged up then in years past. How do we get over this hump.
4) This game not-with-standing as the lions started the game with the pass setting up the run, but it feels like in years past we would lean more heavily with the run, to set up play action. I feel like we pass the ball way to much. I would be curious to see what our runs/pass splits are this year versus last couple of years. It also feels like we are down on play action passes this year compared to previous season.
5) Point 4 has also made it harder to pass block, not to mention two young players at guard and the loss of all pro in Ragnow.
Lions are on track to be league leader of roster injuries for the second year in a row. Is there a problem with our training staff? This is more of a trend than bad luck. I don’t know if it is even a metric measured by teams, but if a position or coordinator coach had results this bad this long there would be a change.
I think it is because of the type of players they draft, and why we like those players. They are going to maximize their efforts at all times. With that, you expose yourself to more injury because you are engaged in a play longer or making extra effort when most players have given up. Look at Campbell's career....maximum effort guy.
In training camp, I thought this might be a stronger unit with plenty of talent. Seems like they were building significant depth. Lem Barney, we need ya.
Brian Branch is a tough nut. The kind of guy who doesn't just tackle people. He takes them down hard, makes them know he's there. You love having those guys on your team. I hope he heals up well and completely. I hope he's back next year, better than ever.
Don’t forget that the players have their own agency. They can decide whether they can/want to play or not play too.
Suggesting that coaches and management force players to play under duress is just plain silly, at least subjectively. It would be interesting if a study has been done to objectify it though.
Remember when Frank Ragnow fractured his trachea a couple years ago? The coaching staff had to prevent him from playing to protect him from himself. Most players have some version of that attitude.
Fewer players act like Anthony Richardson did last year by taking himself out of the game. In fact, I would say that behavior would be highly unusual.
Yes, they do but the Lions culture is about sacrificing for your team, being accountable, grit. So, I assume there is tremendous pressure not to let your teammates and coaching down. This is why you may treat a comprised body part with a lot of latitude that ultimately results in total failure.
I don't have any opinion on the why of this, all I know from last nights telecast is that we will lead the NFL in games lost to injury two years in a row. That isn't random, as injuries are often thought to be, that is a trend. Something has to be identified and done.
They are remarkably tough and durable considering that this roster of players takes the best physical shot possible from every other player on every other roster every game for the last 2 years, perhaps 3.
That happens when you’re successful and tough. Now everyone wants to prove how tough they are as teams and individuals against us.
Campbell has definitely taken a major step forward in Year 3. I've said for a while, he and Gibbs feel like priority 1A and 1B, when it comes to the next wave of re-signing. Both are viewed as mission-critical players to the foundation.
Such a shame for bb. Hopefully he can come back the same. Are there concerns that he might lose some speed?
I decided to let Grok do some research on NFL injured reserve and it is really fascinating how consistent each position group from year to year the last five. According to numbers, we have been fortunate on the OL and seemingly normal in the defensive backfield. It breaks down as follows: 2025-2021
CB/S : 117, 112,110, 110, 104....553 total
OL: 102, 95, 98, 92, 88.....465 total
DL: 62, 59, 54, 58, 57.....290 total
LB: 50, 47, 48, 46, 52.....243 total
WR: 40, 39, 38, 36, 37......190 total
RB: 30, 29, 28, 27, 31.....145 total
TE: 21, 20, 18, 19, 17 .....95 total
QB: 13, 12, 12, 11, 13 ......61 total
K/P: 8, 7, 6. 7, 6....34 total
LS/FB: 2. 3. 3. 2, 2,....12 total
So, defensive backs and offensive lineman have as many IR placements as all the rest of the positions combined. This year is already the worst with 5 weeks to go. Of course this does not account for the significance of the player lost.
442, 423, 415, 403, 407
Justin, not sure this has been addressed but I believe branch will be going into final year of contract next year.. no fifth year option since he was a rd 2.. how do you think this Injury effects his status?
Way too early to say.
Observations from last night:
1) Tom Kennedy needs to be the kick and punt returner moving forward. He has been unstoppable the last couple of games in those roles and he can contribute nicely as a wr.
2) Mohammed needs to play more. That guy can rush the passer. Should be around 50/50 split with Davenport or 3 man rotation with Davenport/Mohammed/Hutchinson...only to give Hutch some rest.
3) We are going on year 3 now where injuries are ruining the season. We lost the champ game against SF because we had no DB's. Last year the defensive injuries ruined a 15-2 season, now this year DB's again and O-line has been more banged up then in years past. How do we get over this hump.
4) This game not-with-standing as the lions started the game with the pass setting up the run, but it feels like in years past we would lean more heavily with the run, to set up play action. I feel like we pass the ball way to much. I would be curious to see what our runs/pass splits are this year versus last couple of years. It also feels like we are down on play action passes this year compared to previous season.
5) Point 4 has also made it harder to pass block, not to mention two young players at guard and the loss of all pro in Ragnow.
Slay
Lot of (ahem) interesting takes here. Anyone ready to pull out SOL just for old times' sake?
/s
Lions are on track to be league leader of roster injuries for the second year in a row. Is there a problem with our training staff? This is more of a trend than bad luck. I don’t know if it is even a metric measured by teams, but if a position or coordinator coach had results this bad this long there would be a change.
I think it is because of the type of players they draft, and why we like those players. They are going to maximize their efforts at all times. With that, you expose yourself to more injury because you are engaged in a play longer or making extra effort when most players have given up. Look at Campbell's career....maximum effort guy.
In training camp, I thought this might be a stronger unit with plenty of talent. Seems like they were building significant depth. Lem Barney, we need ya.
Brian Branch is a tough nut. The kind of guy who doesn't just tackle people. He takes them down hard, makes them know he's there. You love having those guys on your team. I hope he heals up well and completely. I hope he's back next year, better than ever.
Makes me wonder, did we know Joseph had a knee thing they pushed until he broke.
Did we know Arnold had a shoulder thing they pushed until he broke
Did we know that Branch had an Achilles thing …..?
That makes more sense to me. Thanks for setting me straight. 🙂
Don’t forget that the players have their own agency. They can decide whether they can/want to play or not play too.
Suggesting that coaches and management force players to play under duress is just plain silly, at least subjectively. It would be interesting if a study has been done to objectify it though.
Remember when Frank Ragnow fractured his trachea a couple years ago? The coaching staff had to prevent him from playing to protect him from himself. Most players have some version of that attitude.
Fewer players act like Anthony Richardson did last year by taking himself out of the game. In fact, I would say that behavior would be highly unusual.
Yes, they do but the Lions culture is about sacrificing for your team, being accountable, grit. So, I assume there is tremendous pressure not to let your teammates and coaching down. This is why you may treat a comprised body part with a lot of latitude that ultimately results in total failure.
1. The medical staff makes the call on whether injured players are ready.
2. That's not how Achilles tears work.
I don't have any opinion on the why of this, all I know from last nights telecast is that we will lead the NFL in games lost to injury two years in a row. That isn't random, as injuries are often thought to be, that is a trend. Something has to be identified and done.
Well, damn……
Brutal injury for Branch. Stick a fork in us, we're done. 😢
Holmes draft classes are a fragile bunch.
Sorry dude, I have to disagree.
They are remarkably tough and durable considering that this roster of players takes the best physical shot possible from every other player on every other roster every game for the last 2 years, perhaps 3.
That happens when you’re successful and tough. Now everyone wants to prove how tough they are as teams and individuals against us.
Pain. Relentless pain.
Campbell is looking like first team all pro this year. He needs to be signed.
Campbell has definitely taken a major step forward in Year 3. I've said for a while, he and Gibbs feel like priority 1A and 1B, when it comes to the next wave of re-signing. Both are viewed as mission-critical players to the foundation.