Full list of Detroit Lions injuries, latest news about potential returns

The Detroit Lions are currently suffering through over a couple dozen injuries. So to help you keep track of where each player is at in terms of their recovery, we’ve put together a master list of each Lions injury and their projected return date. This information is where things stand as of December 9, 2024.

Injured reserve, not eligible to return

The following players were put on IR prior to the start of the season, and therefore are not eligible to return this year.

• WR Antoine Green
• G Natane Muti
• OT Connor Galvin
• EDGE Nate Lynn
• DT David Bada
• K Michael Badgley

Injured reserve, not expected to return

• EDGE Marcus Davenport

Davenport suffered an elbow injury in Week 3 and it was described by Campbell as a “season-ender.” It’s worth noting that Davenport told the Detroit Free Press he’s hoping for a Super Bowl return, but that seems like an extreme long shot.

• DT Kyle Peko

Peko tore his pectoral muscle in Week 6 and underwent surgery. While there is always a slight chance of an in-season return from a pec tear, Campbell said, “we lost Peko for the season.”

• DT Mekhi Wingo

Wingo suffered a knee injury on Thanksgiving that required surgery. The good news from Campbell is that Wingo should “be healed up for next year.”

• LB Malcolm Rodriguez

Rodriguez tore his ACL on Thanksgiving. He’s expected to be ready by the 2025 season.

Injured reserve, could return

NOTE: Teams are allowed to return eight players from IR during the regular season, and two additional players once the playoff begins. Lions have already used three IR-to-return designations: DT Brodric Martin, CB Emmanuel Moseley, and S Ifeatu Melifonwu. That means they have five remaining IR return designations to use for the rest of the season and seven total once the playoffs begin.

• LB Alex Anzalone — Eligible to return in Week 16 vs. Bears

Anzalone broke his forearm against the Jaguars and is expected to be back by the playoffs.

“Alex, we feel like, is on pace to (return) towards the end of the season,” Campbell said. “It could be the last game of the season, it may not be until the playoffs, but we feel good about getting him back.”

• WR Kalif Raymond — Eligible to return in Week 17 vs. 49ers

Raymond suffered a foot injury against the Colts. Campbell lumped Raymond in with Alex Anzalone, suggesting both could come back before the end of the regular season.

“I think Kalif’s probably in that boat, probably where Alex is at,” Campbell said.

• LB Derrick Barnes — Eligible to return anytime

Barnes tore his MCL and PCL in Week 3 vs. the Cardinals. He remains a very long shot to return this year, but speaking to the media in November, he didn’t dismiss the idea entirely.

“One day at a time, man. You know, obviously, I have those thoughts (of returning) in my mind, but I think if I just focus on the now, then I think that’ll get me where I want to go.”

• LB Jalen Reeves-Maybin — Eligible to return anytime

Reeves-Maybin suffered a neck injury in Week 9. While there was some optimism he could return, on Monday Campbell sounded less optimistic.

“Jalen Reeves-Maybin is better, but it’s just slow-going right now,” Campbell said. “So I don’t really know where he could be. There is a chance we get him in a few weeks. There is a chance we don’t.”

• EDGE John Cominsky — Eligible to return anytime

Cominsky suffered a torn MCL in July, but the Lions purposely waited to put him on IR until the season started in order to leave the option of a return available for the veteran defender. While a December return seemed on the table, the Detroit Football Network reported that a return was more likely for the playoffs, if it happens at all.

• EDGE Aidan Hutchinson — Eligible to return anytime

Hutchinson broke his leg against the Cowboys in Week 6. There has been a lot of talk about him returning for the Super Bowl and Jay Glazer even suggested he could see the field in the NFC Championship Game. On Monday, Campbell wouldn’t commit to a timeline, though:

“I’m where I was when the injury happened and that’s only just saying, this is a tough injury,” Campbell said. “It is, but I just would never count him out just knowing who he is. He’s working, he is progressing, but I can’t say — I can’t give you a timeline and I don’t know if he’ll have the time to get there, but if anybody could, it’s him.”

• CB Ennis Rakestraw Jr. — Eligible to return in Week 16 vs. Bears

Rakestraw suffered a hamstring injury and was placed on IR a few days later. He’s eligible to return next week, and Campbell said those discussions will begin then.

“We’ll have that conversation about Rakestraw and Iffy (Ifeatu Melifonwu) next week,” Campbell said.

• S Ifeatu Melifonwu — Eligible to return in Week 16 vs. Bears

Melifonwu was on the verge of returning to the 53-man roster following an ankle injury that landed him on IR at the beginning of the season. But while practicing he suffered a finger injury that put him right back on IR. He’s eligible to return next week, and Campbell put him in the same boat as Rakestraw.

Currently injured, not on IR

• OT Taylor Decker (knee)

Despite his insistence immediately after the Colts game that the knee and ankle injuries weren’t serious enough to hold him out, Decker has now missed two consecutive games with the injury. That said, it certainly sounds like Decker may return to the lineup this week.

“I’m feeling better about Decker,” Campbell said.

• DT Levi Onwuzurike (hamstring)

Onwuzurike suffered a hamstring injury late against the Bears and has not returned to the field since. He was considered a long shot against the Packers, but it sounds like he has a chance of playing against the Bills this week.

“There’s a chance Levi could be back,” Campbell said.

• DT DJ Reader (shoulder)

Reader played through a shoulder injury against the Bears on Thanksgiving but did not play against the Packers. It’s unclear where he’s at right now, although his injury was not considered serious at the time.

• DT Alim McNeill (concussion)

In the first half of last week’s game, McNeill left the field to be evaluated for a concussion. After a trip to the locker room, he returned to the field, only to be pulled from the game for the entire second half due to a “head” injury.

On Monday, Campbell confirmed McNeill is in concussion protocol, but seemed optimistic he could return soon.

“Mac’s gotta pass concussion protocol and everything. He did not take a step back, so as long as he can clear, that sounds positive,” Campbell said.

• EDGE Josh Paschal (knee)

Campbell did not have an update on Paschal to start the week, but it’s worth noting that for last Thursday’s game against the Packers, Campbell said Paschal had a better shot of playing than Onwuzurike.

“I think Paschal has got a better shot than Levi,” Campbell said on November 30. “[...] I don’t know, I’m not real optimistic about either one of them playing (against the Packers), but I guess Paschal’s got a better shot.”

So either Paschal, too, has a good shot of playing this week, or it’s possible he had a setback.