Detroit Lions Injuries

Mays was placed on IR during the Aug. 30 cutdown day. The center fractured his wrist during the preseason, but is eyeing a quick month and a half of downtime before being able to return to protecting Jared Goff. While Mays remains on IR, Juice Scruggs will be the starting safety for the Lions.

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Niese suffered a right leg injury in the Lions' preseason game against the Commanders on Aug. 22. The offensive lineman was waived Sunday with an injury designation and went unclaimed. Niese will now spend the entirety of the 2026 regular season on IR unless he is waived with an injury settlement.

It's not immediately clear what kind of injury Clark suffered, but the timing of the transaction means he's now in line to spend the entire 2026 season on IR unless he works out an injury settlement with the Lions. His departure could open up more opportunities for fellow free-agent acquisition Amen Ogbongbemiga.

Pacheco was already on injured reserve, but he's looking at a lengthy recovery. According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, the running back is expected to be sidelined 12 weeks, giving him a "chance" to return sometime in December. With Pacheco sidelined Week 1 against the Saints, Jahmyr Gibbs handled 29 of the team's 31 backfield carries, turning them into 156 yards and two touchdowns. Gibbs also caught all five of his targets for 30 yards and played 57 of 77 offensive snaps. Sione Vaki played 22 snaps on offense but touched the ball just three times for 18 yards. Gibbs cemented himself as the premier player in fantasy football.

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Mahogany suffered a hip injury Week 1 against the Saints, and he will now be forced to miss at least one contest as a result. In his absence, Miles Frazier will operate as the top reserve option behind Ben Bartch and Tate Ratledge at offensive guard in Buffalo.

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Miller is dealing with an apparent knee injury, and he will be forced to sit out Week 2. In his absence, Larry Borom will likely draw the start at right tackle versus the Bills.

Manu continues to recover from a knee injury he sustained in October of 2025. He's required to miss at least the first four games of the regular season, meaning the earliest he can return is Week 5 against the Cardinals on Sunday, Oct. 11.

Branch spent the entirety of training camp on the active/PUP list, enabling the safety to be placed on the reserve list to begin the regular season. The 24-year-old will now be required to miss the first four weeks of the season at least before he can return to the Lions' active roster. With fellow safety Kerby Joseph (knee) also on the reserve/PUP list, the tandem of Avonte Maddox and Chuck Clark will likely start the season in the Lions' secondary.

Izien recovered quickly from his illness and was able to pass the physical required to return to practice. The defensive back is all set to resume his role as a depth piece in the Lions' secondary.

Joseph was placed on the active/PUP list in late July and missed the entirety of the preseason due to a lingering knee injury he suffered during Week 6 of the 2025 campaign. The safety will need to miss the first four weeks of the season at least before he is eligible to return to the Lions' active roster. With Brian Branch (Achilles) also on the reserve/PUP list, Avonte Maddox and Chuck Clark will likely be the starting safety duo for the Lions' Week 1 contest against the Saints.

McLaughlin suffered a concussion during Saturday's preseason finale against the Colts. The backup center will need to be regularly checked by an independent neurologist to progress through the protocol and return to full contact practices.

It's not looking good for the safety/cornerback, who had to leave Thursday's 41-31 loss to the Bills during the first half. Maddox had started the first two games at strong safety for Detroit with Brian Branch (Achilles) beginning the season on the reserve/PUP list. It appears now that the Lions may have to turn to Thomas Harper to man the position.

Reed is dealing with a foot injury, so the questionable tag isn't much of a surprise. If Reed can't get on the field versus the Bills, Roger McCreary or Keith Abney could see more action opposite Rock Ya-Sin.

The defensive end exited an early August practice session with a groin issue, returned approximately two weeks later, and then surprisingly missed practice again Wednesday. Moore was selected in the second round by the Lions in April's draft after a breakout season at Michigan in 2025, when he recorded 30 tackles, including 10.0 sacks, two forced fumbles and three pass breakups. He should be able to compete for at least a rotational role in Detroit once he's healthy.

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Vaki was poked in the eye in the same practice and will now need some time to deal with the injuries. He's competing for a role in the backfield behind Jahmyr Gibbs (back) and Isiah Pacheco this summer. A 2024 fourth-round pick, Vaki has seven career regular-season carries for 18 empty yards.

The strong safety participated in 34 percent of the Lions' defensive plays but did not appear otherwise in the final box score. Thursday marked Jackson's first preseason action, as the second-year safety was placed on injured reserve in early August of his rookie season due to a leg injury.

Harper logged 39 defensive snaps and 12 special-teams snaps in the contest. The free safety played 56 percent of the defensive snaps for the Lions. Harper's ability to consistently take down the ball carrier solo may earn him more snaps in subsequent preseason games, such as in next Saturday's showdown with the Commanders.

LaPorta was rested in the team's exhibition opener, but a hip injury suffered in practice kept him on the sideline for the final two preseason games. He was able to return to drills as of Aug. 25, but it's unclear if he's put the issue behind him. LaPorta is entering the final year of his rookie contract, so he has every incentive to be as healthy as possible for a Week 1 matchup with the Saints on Sunday, Sept. 13.

It's not looking good for the safety/cornerback, who had to leave Thursday's 41-31 loss to the Bills during the first half. Maddox had started the first two games at strong safety for Detroit with Brian Branch (Achilles) beginning the season on the reserve/PUP list. It appears now that the Lions may have to turn to Thomas Harper to man the position.

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Miller is dealing with an apparent knee injury, and he will be forced to sit out Week 2. In his absence, Larry Borom will likely draw the start at right tackle versus the Bills.

Mahogany suffered a hip injury Week 1 against the Saints, and he will now be forced to miss at least one contest as a result. In his absence, Miles Frazier will operate as the top reserve option behind Ben Bartch and Tate Ratledge at offensive guard in Buffalo.

Reed is dealing with a foot injury, so the questionable tag isn't much of a surprise. If Reed can't get on the field versus the Bills, Roger McCreary or Keith Abney could see more action opposite Rock Ya-Sin.

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Mahogany suffered a lower-body injury in the first half of the team's Week 1 victory, and he was unable to return to the contest. The offensive lineman was ruled out with a knee injury, and the imaging results appear to have ruled out any significant damage to the knee. Head coach Dan Campbell explained that the team is "out of the woods" quite yet though, stating that Mahogany may be dealing with a hip injury instead. The Lions are set to face the Bills on Thursday night in Buffalo, so Mahogany may have a tough time being available for Week 2.

Pacheco was already on injured reserve, but he's looking at a lengthy recovery. According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, the running back is expected to be sidelined 12 weeks, giving him a "chance" to return sometime in December. With Pacheco sidelined Week 1 against the Saints, Jahmyr Gibbs handled 29 of the team's 31 backfield carries, turning them into 156 yards and two touchdowns. Gibbs also caught all five of his targets for 30 yards and played 57 of 77 offensive snaps. Sione Vaki played 22 snaps on offense but touched the ball just three times for 18 yards. Gibbs cemented himself as the premier player in fantasy football.

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Mays was placed on IR during the Aug. 30 cutdown day. The center fractured his wrist during the preseason, but is eyeing a quick month and a half of downtime before being able to return to protecting Jared Goff. While Mays remains on IR, Juice Scruggs will be the starting safety for the Lions.

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LaPorta was rested in the team's exhibition opener, but a hip injury suffered in practice kept him on the sideline for the final two preseason games. He was able to return to drills as of Aug. 25, but it's unclear if he's put the issue behind him. LaPorta is entering the final year of his rookie contract, so he has every incentive to be as healthy as possible for a Week 1 matchup with the Saints on Sunday, Sept. 13.

Pacheco was placed on injured reserve with his back issue and will miss at least the first four games of the regular season. It sounds like his absence could extend beyond Week 5 when he's first eligible to play. In the meantime, Jacob Saylors looks like the direct backup to Jahmyr Gibbs in the backfield. Gibbs could see some heavy snaps this season after the departure of steady veteran running mate David Montgomery over the offseason.

Manu continues to recover from a knee injury he sustained in October of 2025. He's required to miss at least the first four games of the regular season, meaning the earliest he can return is Week 5 against the Cardinals on Sunday, Oct. 11.

Niese suffered a right leg injury in the Lions' preseason game against the Commanders on Aug. 22. The offensive lineman was waived Sunday with an injury designation and went unclaimed. Niese will now spend the entirety of the 2026 regular season on IR unless he is waived with an injury settlement.

Branch spent the entirety of training camp on the active/PUP list, enabling the safety to be placed on the reserve list to begin the regular season. The 24-year-old will now be required to miss the first four weeks of the season at least before he can return to the Lions' active roster. With fellow safety Kerby Joseph (knee) also on the reserve/PUP list, the tandem of Avonte Maddox and Chuck Clark will likely start the season in the Lions' secondary.

Mays suffered a fractured wrist during the preseason, and he will now be forced to miss at least four games to open the regular season. The 27-year-old was expected to operate as the team's starting center this year, so in his absence, Seth McLaughlin will get a chance to handle that role to open 2026.

Joseph was placed on the active/PUP list in late July and missed the entirety of the preseason due to a lingering knee injury he suffered during Week 6 of the 2025 campaign. The safety will need to miss the first four weeks of the season at least before he is eligible to return to the Lions' active roster. With Brian Branch (Achilles) also on the reserve/PUP list, Avonte Maddox and Chuck Clark will likely be the starting safety duo for the Lions' Week 1 contest against the Saints.

McLaughlin suffered a concussion during Saturday's preseason finale against the Colts. The backup center will need to be regularly checked by an independent neurologist to progress through the protocol and return to full contact practices.

The defensive end exited an early August practice session with a groin issue, returned approximately two weeks later, and then surprisingly missed practice again Wednesday. Moore was selected in the second round by the Lions in April's draft after a breakout season at Michigan in 2025, when he recorded 30 tackles, including 10.0 sacks, two forced fumbles and three pass breakups. He should be able to compete for at least a rotational role in Detroit once he's healthy.

Pacheco has been out of action with an MCL sprain, and although he seems to have moved past the knee issue he is now dealing with another injury. Campbell noted that Pacheco was feeling better Wednesday, but further details were not provided, so it's unclear if the latest setback will affect his availability for Week 1.

The defensive end suffered a back injury July 29 and did not return at any point during training camp. Turner will now likely have to miss the 2026 campaign unless he reaches an injury settlement with the team. The former Cowboy missed the 2025 campaign due to a rib injury.

It's not immediately clear what kind of injury Clark suffered, but the timing of the transaction means he's now in line to spend the entire 2026 season on IR unless he works out an injury settlement with the Lions. His departure could open up more opportunities for fellow free-agent acquisition Amen Ogbongbemiga.

Coach Dan Campbell said last Thursday that LaPorta was tending to a hip injury, and his status for the regular-season opener wasn't guaranteed. Considering the tight end was back on the practice field less than a week later, he's trending in a positive direction. LaPorta still has more than two weeks to get cleared for Week 1.

Niese had his right leg crushed by a defender in Saturday's contest and is feared to have suffered an MCL sprain in his right knee. The reserve center has been a versatile piece of the Lions' offensive line and will likely need to miss time with the injury.

The cornerback suffered an upper-body injury during the first half of Detroit's Aug. 13 preseason loss to Cincinnati, but this appears to be a new issue. Rakestraw missed the 2025 campaign after injuring his shoulder during a training camp practice.

The fourth-round rookie was injured early in camp and has missed the past three weeks with a strained hamstring. It sounds like he's going to miss the remainder of camp and the preseason. As a rookie, Rolder is expected to work as a depth linebacker and special-teams player.

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The strong safety participated in 34 percent of the Lions' defensive plays but did not appear otherwise in the final box score. Thursday marked Jackson's first preseason action, as the second-year safety was placed on injured reserve in early August of his rookie season due to a leg injury.

Harper logged 39 defensive snaps and 12 special-teams snaps in the contest. The free safety played 56 percent of the defensive snaps for the Lions. Harper's ability to consistently take down the ball carrier solo may earn him more snaps in subsequent preseason games, such as in next Saturday's showdown with the Commanders.

Branch continues to recover from a torn Achilles that he suffered in December, which prompted the Lions to place the 2023 second-rounder on the active/PUP list to start training camp. He won't play in any of the Lions' three exhibition games, but depending on how his recovery goes over the next month, Branch could be available for Detroit's regular-season opener against New Orleans on Sunday, Sept. 13.

Campbell relayed that Joseph is currently away from the team to attend to a personal matter but added that the fifth-year safety's rehab from his knee injury is "coming along very well." Joseph missed the final 13 games of the regular season due to a knee injury and opened camp on the active/PUP list. A stint on injured reserve may not be necessary for the 2022 third-rounder, though it's unclear whether he'll suit up for the Lions' regular-season opener against the Saints on Sunday, Sept. 13.

Vaki was poked in the eye in the same practice and will now need some time to deal with the injuries. He's competing for a role in the backfield behind Jahmyr Gibbs (back) and Isiah Pacheco this summer. A 2024 fourth-round pick, Vaki has seven career regular-season carries for 18 empty yards.

Izien recovered quickly from his illness and was able to pass the physical required to return to practice. The defensive back is all set to resume his role as a depth piece in the Lions' secondary.

Moore left Sunday's practice session early with a groin issue, but it appears to be something the defensive end should be able to quickly overcome. With the second-round rookie out for at least a week, Tyler Lacy, Tyre West and Trevor Nowaske will likely continue to see greater opportunities with the second-team defense.

The promising rookie left Friday's practice due to the issue. If Rolder can return before the start of the regular season, he could yet prove he is a reliable depth option at linebacker for the Lions. The recent signing of Devin White makes the competition tougher, but the team is always looking for depth at a position it has been notoriously injury-prone with.