Detroit Lions injury report: Week 5 vs. Carolina Panthers
By Matt Bosko
The Detroit Lions have ruled three players out for Sunday’s game against the Carolina Panthers, and several more are listed as questionable.
STATUS: OUT
Golladay (hamstring) was unable to practice for a second straight week. Hamstring injuries tend to linger, especially for wide receivers, and this one is no exception. The Lions will play it safe with their rookie, especially with the emergence of TJ Jones, whose stock is rising.
The Lions’ depth at the linebacker position is tested weekly due to injury, and Worrilow (knee) was the latest victim. His day against the Vikings last Sunday ended after playing just one defensive snap. He was diagnosed with a sprained MCL earlier this week, and is expected to miss anywhere from 2-4 weeks.
Washington (quad) did not practice for the third straight week and will not play this Sunday. Zach Zenner will once again suit up in his stead.
STATUS: QUESTIONABLE
The Lions have tagged seven starters as questionable for Sunday: DE Ezekiel Ansah (knee), S Don Carey (knee), LB Jarrad Davis (neck), G TJ Lang (back), DT Haloti Ngata (shoulder), C Travis Swanson (ankle), RT Rick Wagner (ankle/shoulder), and LB Tahir Whitehead (pectoral).
Linebackers
Davis and Whitehead were limited in practice all week – a promising sign but no guarantee that they will play on Sunday. Davis was limited last week as well and was inactive. If there is any silver (and blue) lining here, it’s that Davis has at least cleared the concussion protocol.
The linebacking corps for the Lions is already thin. This will be interesting to watch when the inactives come out Sunday morning.
Offensive Line
It’s never a good sign when three-fifths of your starting offensive line appear on the injury report.
Lang is still reeling from the effects of a back injury suffered against the Vikings. He missed only one snap in that game, but did not practice either Wednesday or Friday after a limited session on Thursday.
Swanson was limited until Friday, and finishing out the week with a full practice is a good sign that he will be ready for the Panthers.
Wagner practiced on a limited basis on Thursday and Friday.
Ngata Sure Thing
Perhaps Wednesday and Friday were both maintenance days for the veteran defensive tackle, but it is concerning that Thursday’s practice was a limited one. Fortunately for the Lions, this is one position group that has a considerable amount of depth if Ngata is unable to go.
The Rest
Ansah continued his weekly regiment of limited work each day of practice and will most likely play against the Panthers. Even though Carey is listed on the injury report, the special teams ace practiced in full all week.
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Panthers Injuries
The Panthers have ruled out two starters for Sunday: safety Kurt Coleman and center Ryan Kalil. Additionally, defense ends Julius Peppers and Mario Addison are questionable, as is right tackle Matt Kalil. Neither Peppers nor Kalil practiced this week.