Let me start with an important note: Bookmark this page.
I repeat, bookmark this page.
For the remainder of the 2025 season, this page will be updated regularly, with the latest information on the Detroit Lions’ injury situation, including quotes from Lions coach Dan Campbell where relevant.
If you don’t bookmark it — which you should — it will be linked in the header on detroitfootball.net.
Active roster injuries
Cornerback Terrion Arnold
Arnold left the Week 4 game against Cleveland with a shoulder injury. He made an unexpected return to practice on Oct. 1 in a limited capacity. A day later, he was upgraded to full participation, putting him on track to play against Cincinnati in Week 5. (Updated: Oct. 2)
Defensive tackle Alim McNeill
McNeill suffered a torn ACL in a Dec. 15 game against Buffalo. He had surgery a few weeks later and was projected for a midseason return. On Oct. 1, McNeill returned to practice, starting his 21-day acclimation clock. (Updated: Oct. 1)
Safety Kerby Joseph
Joseph has been dealing with a nagging knee injury since training camp. He missed approximately a quarter of the team’s Week 4 game against Cleveland after aggravating the issue while blocking on an interception return. (Updated: Oct. 1)
Running back Sione Vaki
In his season debut after dealing with a nagging hamstring strain the first two weeks of the season, Vaki exited the team’s Week 3 game against Baltimore with a groin injury. He didn’t practice the following week and was ruled out of the team’s Week 4 game against Cleveland the Friday ahead of the matchup. (Updated: Sept. 26)
Offensive tackle Taylor Decker
Decker continues to work through a nagging shoulder injury that’s limiting his practice time. Campbell said it’s unclear whether that will continue to be the team’s long-term approach with the veteran.
“We’d rather it not be the case, but that’s just the way it is right now,” Campbell said. “We’re just trying to get him to where he feels good and feels recovered as much as possible for the game. And it’s the right thing to do right now. And Decker’s giving us what he’s got, and we’re all appreciative for that.” (Updated: Sept. 26)
Long-term injuries
Safety Daniel Thomas
Thomas, who had been playing through a broken hand, unwent forearm surgery after the team’s Week 3 game with Baltimore. He suffered the injury in the second quarter, covering a kickoff, with the club covering his injured hand a factor.
In a locker room conversation on Oct. 2, he said it’s the third time he’s broken that forearm and his timetable to get cleared is estimated to be four weeks. He’s eligible to return on Nov. 2 against Minnesota. (Updated: Oct. 2)
Cornerback DJ Reed
Reed exited the team’s Week 4 game against the Cleveland Browns with a hamstring injury. On Oct. 1, he was placed on injured reserve. He’ll be eligible to return to action for the team’s Week 10 matchup against Washington. (Updated: Oct. 1)
Defensive lineman Josh Paschal
Paschal is on the shelf with an unidentified injury. Originally expected to be back close to the start of the season, Paschal was kept on NFI after roster cutdowns.
On Sept. 20, ahead of the team’s Week 3 contest with the Baltimore Ravens, Campbell said Paschal was improving. However, the team still didn’t have a clear timetable on when the defender might return to action. The coach repeated that assessment on Oct. 1. (Updated: Oct. 1)
Offensive lineman Miles Frazier
The rookie has been out of action since late May with a knee injury. Frazier remained on PUP when the roster was trimmed to 53 to start the regular season.
On Sept. 29, days ahead of being eligible to return to practice, Campbell said the rookie’s recovery has been going slower than expected, but was still hopeful of getting the lineman back at some point during his rookie season. (Updated: Sept. 29)
Defensive end Marcus Davenport
After suffering ankle and chest injuries in Week 2, Davenport spent a week being evaluated by multiple doctors for the latter issue. Ruling out Davenport for Week 3 on Sept. 20, Campbell said he didn’t anticipate the injury being season-ending.
On Sept. 22, hours ahead of kickoff with the Ravens, the Lions formally placed Davenport on injured reserve, meaning he’s required to miss at least the next four games. He’ll be eligible to return to action for the team’s Oct. 20 game against Tampa Bay. (Updated: Sept. 22)
Tight end Shane Zylstra
Zylstra left the team’s game against Chicago on Sept. 14 in the first half with an ankle injury. He was in a walking boot after the game.
Zylstra was placed on injured reserve on Sept. 16. He’d first be eligible to return for the team’s Week 7 game against Tampa Bay. (Updated: Sept. 16)
Offensive tackle Jamarco Jones
Jones suffered an Achilles injury during the team’s Sept. 4 practice and was placed on injured reserve two days later. He has been ruled out for the season. (Updated: Sept. 10)
Linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez
Rodriguez has been making steady progress with his recovery from the torn ACL he suffered against the Chicago Bears last Thanksgiving. His projected timetable for returning has improved from November to October.
Rodriguez remains on PUP to start the regular season. (Updated: Aug. 26)
Offensive tackle Justin Herron
Herron suffered an arm injury in pre-game warmups ahead of the team’s preseason matchup with the Atlanta Falcons on Aug. 8. He was placed on injured reserve Aug. 10.
Safety Dan Jackson
Jackson suffered a leg injury during practice on Aug. 3 and was placed on injured reserve the following day.
Cornerback Ennis Rakestraw Jr.
Rakestraw suffered a chest contusion after a violent midfield collision during the team’s first training camp practice. A few days after returning to action, the second-year cornerback suffered a shoulder injury during a tackling drill. He was placed on injured reserve four days later and has since undergone surgery.
Offensive lineman Colby Sorsdal
Sorsal suffered a leg injury in the team’s preseason game against Atlanta on Aug. 8 and was placed on injured reserve Aug. 10.
Linebacker Ezekiel Turner
Turner suffered a possible Achilles injury in the third quarter of Saturday’s preseason game against the Texans after getting bent backward awkwardly during a play.
“We’re getting tests on that, but that was a significant injury, it looks like,” Campbell said after the game.
Turner was placed on injured reserve when the team cut its roster to 53 players on Aug. 26.
Tight end Kenny Yeboah
Yeboah suffered a knee injury in the Hall of Fame game on July 31. He returned to practice the next week, but was placed on injured reserve on Aug. 10, following the team’s second preseason game.
Defensive tackle Levi Onwuzurike
After dealing with nagging knee pain this offseason, a medical evaluation revealed the lineman needed surgery to repair a damaged ACL. He’s been ruled out for the season.
Thanks for the updates. Hopefully this will be a far less referenced part of the DFN this season.
I don't know anything about bookmarks in Substack. However, it is possible for you to pin the post to your story page. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯