Week 12 against the Indianapolis Colts starts a stretch of three games in 11 days for the Detroit Lions, with Thanksgiving and the following Thursday night against division rivals (Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers respectively) to come after.
The biggest, and practically only, injury headline for the Lions this week is attached to tight end Sam LaPorta. He missed last week’s game after suffering a shoulder injury in Week 10, but head coach Dan Campbell has said he’s “trending the right way” and being a full participant in Thursday’s first normal practice of the week was a big positive sign that’s the case.
Cornerback Emmanuel Moseley is nearing the end of his 21-day evaluation window to come off IR after suffering a torn pectoral during joint practices with the New York Giants in August. Campbell had an update Friday morning.
“I would love to get him up for this game”, Campbell said. “We’ll see what today looks like. He’s continuing to get better and better, but we see him doing a little bit of everything — corner, nickel, safety. He’s help, is what he is. He brings another piece for us that we can use.”
Here’s the final Week 12 injury report for the Lions.
CB Ennis Rakestraw (hamstring)-Out
CB Terrion Arnold (groin)-Questionable
CB Emmanuel Moseley (pectoral)-Questionable
CB Carlton Davis (thumb)-No designation
TE Sam LaPorta (shoulder)-No designation
TE Shane Zylstra (neck)-No designation
Rakestraw was noticed by reporters as not being present for the open portion of Friday’s practice, with an “unknown ailment.” That ailment is now known, and the second-round rookie corner will miss Sunday’s game due to a hamstring injury.
Arnold popped on Thursday’s injury report, limited by a groin injury. On Friday morning before practice Campbell said he was not concerned. Listing the rookie corner as questionable was expected, in case of a setback.
The aforementioned Moseley is also listed as questionable, but it’s fair to assume he’ll be activated on Saturday afternoon with a chance to make his season debut on Sunday.
As expected, LaPorta is set to return on Sunday after missing just one game with his shoulder issue.
Davis suffered a broken thumb in practice last week, and he played with a cast on it against the Jaguars in Week 11. He’ll do so again this week, with no injury designation.
Zylstra suffered a neck injury against Jacksonville, but he has practiced in full all week and is good to go for Sunday.
Here’s the final Week 12 injury report for the Colts.
OT Bernhard Raimann (knee)-Out
DE Tyquan Lewis (elbow)-Questionable
OT Braden Smith (foot/rest)-No designation
WR Michael Pittman (back)-No designation
WR Josh Downs (calf)-No designation
CB Kenny Moore II (knee)-No designation
DT DeForest Buckner (rest)-No designation
DT Grover Stewart (rest)-No designation
LB Zaire Franklin (rest)-No designation
