The Detroit Lions released their Week 18 injury designation and Alex Anzalone was listed as questionable, potentially setting up a return to the active roster.
The Detroit Lions (14-2) and Minnesota Vikings (14-2) have declared their Week 18 injury designations ahead of their Week 18 matchup for all the marbles in the NFC postseason. Let’s take a look at Friday’s injury report and get you up to date with what we know.
Note that any changes from yesterday’s report will be bolded.
Ruled OUT
- RB David Montgomery (knee) — expected to return during the Playoffs
- CB Emmanuel Moseley (illness)
Montgomery will miss his third game with an MCL injury, and while he’s also expected to miss the Wild Card round of the playoffs, the goal is for a return in the divisional round.
Moseley missed the entire week of practices with an illness and has been ruled out of this Sunday’s game, but there was no guarantee he would have played anyway, considering he did not play a snap last week against the 49ers. This leaves the Lions with only three cornerbacks and three safeties on the roster, so it wouldn’t be surprising to see a defensive back elevated on Saturday.
Questionable
- RB Craig Reynolds (back) — New injury
- WR Kalif Raymond (hamstring) — Injury clock days remaining: 12
- LB Alex Anzalone (forearm) — returns to practice, Injury clock days remaining: 18
Reynolds was added to the injury report on Friday after not practicing. A questionable designation leaves the door open for him to still play on Sunday, but as always, late-week additions can be a bit concerning. If he can’t play, rookie Sione Vaki would be the only backup to Jahmyr Gibbs, though Jermar Jefferson was elevated each of the last two weeks, has one elevation remaining, and could fill in as depth if needed.
Raymond has now practiced two weeks in full, and while he is also listed as questionable, this is likely just a precursor to him being activated from injured reserve on Saturday and assuming one of the Lions’ two open roster spots.
Anzalone got in a second full practice this week and has been practicing without setbacks, according to coach Dan Campbell. The current goal is about re-acclimating him back to football as quickly as possible, while also remembering not to rush him because they want him available for the playoffs.
Anzalone is still weighing the risks of playing on Sunday, and a questionable designation keeps the door open for that to happen. While he is also still technically on injured reserve, the Lions have an open spot on the roster for him as well, if they decide to activate him.
“The only way to trust it is to do it,” Campbell said of Anzalone learning to trust his body again.” “(You need) to use it and do it and bang away in there, and you’ve just got to rep it. You’ve got to rep it a little bit, get comfortable. Like, ‘Man, that was a pretty violent hit and I didn’t feel anything.’ Or, ‘Oh, that wasn’t what I thought it was going to be.’ And that becomes a mental thing. Listen, if he’s going to play, it’s because we know he’s going to be able to go full-tilt and he’s going to be able to help us and he’s going to be able to protect himself, play at a high level, and we can trust that and we’re not putting him in harm’s way. And if we don’t feel that way, we’re not going to play him, it’s not worth it.”
No injury designation
- OG Christian Mahogany (illness) — returned to practice
- LB Jack Campbell (rib)
- CB Amik Robertson (calf)
Mahogany missed just one practice with an illness, returned on Friday, and is ready to go for Sunday. Campbell and Robertson were estimated to be limited during Wednesday’s walkthrough but when they took the field on Thursday and Friday, both practiced in full and should be good to go for Sunday.
Vikings’ injury designations
Note: Starters are bolded.
Ruled OUT
- EDGE Patrick Jones (knee)
Questionable
- LB Kamu Grugier-Hill (illness)
- CB Fabian Moreau (hip)
Not listed with an injury designation
- RB Aaron Jones (quad)
- FB C.J. Ham (quad)
- TE Josh Oliver (wrist)
- RG Ed Ingram (back)
- S Harrison Smith (foot)
