Lions vs Bears: Initial injury report medical analysis

[DSF]

The last game vs the Bills was a brutal one for the Lions as three players were placed on IR (Alim McNeill, Carlton Davis, and Khalil Dorsey) with another one pending (David Montgomery).

There are still three regular season games left with the valuable #1 seed in play. It will be interesting to watch the snap counts of key players going forward.

The Bears have a couple injuries along the offensive line to watch this week.

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DETROIT LIONS​

David Montgomery RB – knee (NP)​

Montgomery is reported to have an MCL sprain that is severe enough to be considering surgery.

Dan Campbell today and Montgomery yesterday both stated that the decision regarding his injury is pending. Presumably the decision is between 1) getting season-ending surgery, or 2) seeing if it can heal on its own well enough to return this season.

Most MCL injuries, even complete tears, can heal without surgery, so there may be a complicating factor such as a distal tear, avulsion, ligament entrapment, or multi-ligament injury.

David Montgomery R knee injury video
-Unclear moment of injury
-1st clip is suspicious play when leg gets tangled up. Stayed in.
-Next carry R leg appears to give out
-Returned after halftime with knee wrap and finished game. No sig concern but worth watching. pic.twitter.com/9wM2BOLmOD

— Jimmy Liao MD | Detroit Lions Morning Rounds (@JimmyLiaoMD) December 16, 2024

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Brian Branch S – calf (NP)​

Branch reached for his right leg late in the 4th quarter which could have been when he hurt his calf. He finished the game with a slight limp. In the prior game vs the Packers, he had calf cramping at the end of the game which is probably unrelated. A calf strain could cause some missed time so keep an eye on his practice status over the course of this week.

Brian Branch R upper leg injury video
-He’s playing thru something as this is 2nd time in past 2 games he has reached for this area. Both times, bent sideways during tackle.
-Able to finish game.
-Suspect muscle/tendon or iliotibial band strain pic.twitter.com/V4379VEL34

— Jimmy Liao MD | Detroit Lions Morning Rounds (@JimmyLiaoMD) December 16, 2024

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Graham Glasgow OG – knee (NP)​

Glasgow played 100% of snaps vs the Bills, and I didn’t see any obvious knee issue. He may have also injured a knee in week two but hasn’t missed a game this year.

Trevor Nowaske LB – concussion (FP)​

Nowaske suffered his concussion in practice last week but the FP means he should play on Sunday.

Ifeatu Melifonwu S – hand (FP)​

The previous “finger” listing has turned into a “hand”. Regardless, he is starting is 21-day practice window immediately after his four-week IR stint which means he could be ready to play this weekend.

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REST designation thus no injury​

Taylor Decker
Frank Ragnow
DJ Reader
Za’Darius Smith
Amon-Ra St. Brown
Kevin Zeitler

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NOTABLES​

Amon-Ra St. Brown​

Played with “food poisoning” last game. Medically, this is likely infectious gastroenteritis which is usually not serious but can cause dehydration and weakness. Typically resolves within 2-3 days so there shouldn’t be any issue for this weekend.

Alim McNeill​

Placed on IR with ACL tear. Expected return around November 2025.

Alim McNeill R knee injury video
-Uncertain on which step injury occurred but suspicion for final step landing hard on straight leg
-Postgame pessimism is concerning for ACL
-Best case would be mild bone bruise. Also possible are meniscus or other knee sprain. pic.twitter.com/RYYMkaigPt

— Jimmy Liao MD | Detroit Lions Morning Rounds (@JimmyLiaoMD) December 16, 2024

Carlton Davis​

Placed on IR with jaw fracture. Could be back in six weeks for NFC championship game.

Carlton Davis jaw injury video
-Came out 2x, maybe related
-In 1st qtr, blow to L head. Grabs facemask after. Returned after 1 play.
-In 2nd qtr, presumably hits L head on tackle. Trainers looking at L jaw. Did not return. pic.twitter.com/GDcwYFURVv

— Jimmy Liao MD | Detroit Lions Morning Rounds (@JimmyLiaoMD) December 16, 2024

Khalil Dorsey​

Placed on IR with ankle/leg fracture. No chance of return this season but good chance to be recovered by start of next season.

Khalil Dorsey R ankle fracture injury video
-Likely tib/fib close to ankle joint
-Out for year
-Hope the joint damage is minimal as that could complicate recovery pic.twitter.com/89Y0N51j57

— Jimmy Liao MD | Detroit Lions Morning Rounds (@JimmyLiaoMD) December 16, 2024

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IR LIST STATUS UPDATE​

Returning soon​

• Alex Anzalone, left forearm fracture – I’m surprised that his 21-day practice window did not open today. I was expecting him to be ready by the Vikings game which will be seven weeks post injury and only 18 days away. There is still a chance he could start practice later this week, but if he doesn’t, then we might not see him until the playoffs.
• Kalif Raymond, left foot – Expected by the start of the playoffs. His 21-day practice window is eligible to open next week and should open next week.

Early playoffs at best​

• Ennis Rakestraw, hamstring – Eligible to return this week vs the Bears but his 21-day practice window did not open today. This means he won’t play this weekend and may be more than three weeks away.
• Jalen Reeves-Maybin, neck – Eligible to return anytime but has not had his 21-day practice window opened yet. This implies he is at least three weeks away. He is signed through the 2025 season.

Late playoffs is possible​

• Carlton Davis, jaw fracture – Initial estimated recovery of six weeks would put him at the NFC championship game. Unrestricted free agent after this year.
• Aidan Hutchinson, left tib/fib fracture – Expecting very limited action in the Super Bowl. Hutchinson has significant expected atrophy in his legs so it all depends on how quickly rehab goes. In 3rd year of 4-year rookie contract with 5th-year option. Expect an extension this coming offseason.

Not expected to return​

• Derrick Barnes, right MCL/PCL surgery – Unlikely to be back. Unrestricted free agent after this year.
• John Cominsky, MCL surgery – On December 18, Dan Campbell stated he was unlikely to return this season. Unrestricted free agent after this year.
• Alim McNeill, right ACL – Expect his return around October-November of 2025. Signed an extension this past offseason through the 2028 season.
• Khalil Dorsey, right ankle/leg fracture – Unrestricted free agent this offseason.
• Malcolm Rodriguez, right ACL – Expect his return around October 2025. Next season will be the final year of his rookie contract.
• Marcus Davenport, left elbow – Unrestricted free agent this offseason.
• Kyle Peko, left pec – Unrestricted free agent this offseason.
• Mekhi Wingo, right knee – In 1st year of four-year rookie contract.

IR return count​

• Lions have used 4 of 10 returns with Brodric Martin, Emmanuel Moseley, and Ifeatu Melifonwu twice. With 6 potential candidates, it’s unlikely the Lions will run out of return slots unless more players go on IR.
• David Montgomery’s status is up-in-the-air and if he could return in a few weeks, the Lions may decide to carry him on the active roster instead of using up an IR-return slot.

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CHICAGO BEARS​

Braxton Jones OL – concussion (NP)​

Jones is the starting LT and missed last game with this concussion. The NP means he might miss another.

Teven Jenkins OL – calf (NP)​

Jenkins is the starting LG. He played 96% snaps last game.

Gervon Dexter DL – knee (NP)​

Dexter is a starting DT that missed last game and might miss another.

Ryan Bates OL – concussion (NP)​

Bates has only appeared in three games this year and has missed the last four games.

Darrell Taylor DL – shoulder (FP)​

Taylor is a backup DE who appeared to hurt his left shoulder last game.

Roschon Johnson RB – concussion (FP)​

Johnson has missed the last two games but looks to be ready. He has 139 rushing yards on the year behind starter D’Andre Swift.

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