The Detroit Lions are heading into a Week 3 matchup with the Minnesota Vikings and they are slowly getting injured starters back on the practice field. There were still a few key players left for the Lions, but just about everyone seemed to be heading in the right direction on Sunday.
Note: All changes from yesterday’s injury report are: in bold.
No exercise
- G Jonah Jackson (finger)
- EDGE Aidan Hutchinson (thigh)
- DL John Cominsky (wrist)
- S Tracy Walker (not injury related)
While Cominsky will be out of action for a while, there are promising signs for both Jonah Jackson and Aidan Hutchinson. Both players were moving quite well on the field, although in practice they were unsuitable or even considered limited participants. Jackson seemed to bounce just fine, while Hutchinson was working at almost full speed.
Earlier this week, coach Dan Campbell seemed to suggest Hutchinson will be fine, while Jackson’s status is a little more up in the air this week.
If Jackson can’t go, it appears that based on practice sightings, the Lions will likely stick with Dan Skipper again, although he should be promoted from the practice squad for the second week in a row.
As for Walker, his absence was not related to injuries. We have no information on why he missed training, but as Tim Twentyman of DetroitLions.com notedhis wife is expecting a baby soon.
Limited practice
- RB D’Andre Swift (ankle) – upgraded from no workout on Wednesday
- TE TJ Hockenson (hip)
- C Frank Ragnow (foot)
Swift got what appeared to be a scheduled rest day on Wednesday and was back on the field on Thursday. Swift’s ankle is progressing, but it was still bothering him when he last spoke to the media, so expect the Lions to continue taking it easy with their superstar.
Hockenson is new this week, but after playing in 89 percent of attacking shots on Sunday and back-to-back limited practice, he looks on track to play this weekend.
Ragnow has now had two limited training sessions, but it is still a little early to say he will be ready to go against the Vikings. Evan Brown remains a very viable option to play in the middle if Ragnow is unable to cope.
Full exercise
- CB Amani Oruwariye (back) – upgraded from limited Wednesday
- S JuJu Hughes (shoulder) – upgraded from limited Wednesday
- S Ifetu Melifonwu (hamstring)
Oruwariye injured his back a week ago, so it’s still a little early to expect to be 100 per cent ready, but limited training followed by full training is certainly encouraging.
Hughes was a big contributor to Special Teams against the Commanders and Special Teams Coordinator Dave Fipp certainly hopes this shoulder injury doesn’t keep him out.
“Yeah, that was great,” Fipp told media on Thursday. “JuJu did a great job in the last game. He had four tackles or was part of four of those kickoffs, which was big…”
Melifonwu continues to progress towards full recovery and possible activation for this weekend’s match. Where he fits in and what his role will be – especially with the rise of JuJu Hughes – is yet to be determined, but if he’s active, he thinks he’ll be a special team contributor at the very least.
Vikings injury report
Here’s a look at the Vikings’ injury report on Thursday:
Available soon.
#Injury #report #DAndre #Swift #returns #training #Aidan #Hutchinson