Injury Report: Detroit Lions Looking Healthy For Game With Surging Oakland Raiders
By Danny Cox
Head coach Jim Caldwell and the Detroit Lions still want to win. No team wants to be the worst in the league when all is said and done, no matter how high their draft pick may be for the next year. The Lions are hoping to keep winning and pull out a few more victories, but beating the Oakland Raiders will be no easy task. Fortunately, the Lions are quite healthy this week and have a rather short injury list.
Defensive tackle Gabe Wright is the only player listed as out for this week as he is dealing with a rather serious ankle injury. He was in a walking boot after the win over the Green Bay Packers and won't be playing at all this week against the Raiders.
Cornerback Nevin Lawson suffered a brain injury at the end of the Lions' win over the Packers last week, but he was cleared to play against the Raiders. He will be starting opposite Darius Slay, and that's good news since two of the top three cornerbacks for the Lions are already gone for the season due to injury. He's listed as questionable as is safety Don Carey (back), who will be seen as a game-time decision but should be able to play.
Any other names on the injury report are all listed as probable and that's good news. Wide receiver Calvin Johnson is dealing with a nagging ankle injury, but he returned to practice on Thursday and will be able to start on Sunday. That was the same day of practice that saw Carey back as well.
Defensive end Ziggy Ansah (toe) is probable and has been a full-go at practice all this week so he will be ready to play. Defensive end Jason Jones did miss two days of practice due to paternity leave, but returned on Friday and practiced in full so he's also good for the Raiders' game. Running back Joique Bell (shoulder) and punter Sam Martin (back) were checked out and limited on Wednesday, but a full-go throughout the rest of the week.
The Detroit Lions are looking good, as far as their health goes right now. That's the good news as it comes time to face the Oakland Raiders and coming off a big win over the Green Bay Packers, but they can't take the silver and black lightly.
Probable:
Ziggy Ansah, DE (toe)
Joique Bell, RB (shoulder)
Calvin Johnson, WR (ankle)
Jason Jones, DE (non-injury related)
Sam Martin, P (back)
Glover Quin, S (ankle)
Questionable:
Nevin Lawson, CB (concussion)
Don Carey, S (back)
Out:
Gabe Wright, DT (ankle)
Danny Cox knows a little something about the NFL, whether it means letting you know what penalty will come from the flag just thrown on the field or quickly spouting off who the Chicago Bears drafted in the first round of the 1987 draft (Jim Harbaugh). He plans on bringing you the best news, previews, recaps, and anything else that may come along with the exciting world of the National Football League. Danny is a freelance writer covering all things NFL. His work can be found on Examiner.com.
