Detroit Lions injury report: Week 13 at Baltimore Ravens
By Matt Bosko
The Detroit Lions will be without their starting center and kick returner once again, as both Travis Swanson and Jamal Agnew are ruled out against the Baltimore Ravens.
While the Detroit Lions have ruled out two starters for Sunday, some encouraging news to consider is the health of two key players: Matthew Stafford and Ezekiel Ansah.
Stafford, who suffered an apparent ankle injury during last Thursday’s game, practiced in full all week.
Another interesting development is that Ansah is not listed on the Lions’ injury report for the first time all season. Sunday will be the first time the franchise and it’s fan base will get a glimpse of a healthy version of their top edge rusher.
Pairing Ansah with newly acquired Dwight Freeney will surely energize a lackluster pass rush, and hopefully aid in filling the cavernous area the Lions call “run defense.”
STATUS: OUT
C Travis Swanson
Well, it was nice while it lasted.
Sunday will mark the end of two prodigious streaks in the NFL. Eli Manning‘s number of consecutive starts will come to a grinding halt at 210, and the Lions’ ability to field their entire starting offensive line will end at two games.
Travis Swanson (knee) left midway through the Thanksgiving Day game against the Minnesota Vikings, and a ten-day layoff was not enough to overcome the injury.
Graham Glasgow, the team’s starting left guard, and his awkward method of snapping the football will replace Swanson in the lineup.
Corey Robinson is the most likely candidate to start at guard for Glasgow.
CB Jamal Agnew
Jamal Agnew (knee) will miss his second straight game due to an injury suffered against the Chicago Bears. He missed practice the entire week.
TJ Jones and Golden Tate will handle punt returning duties again. Ameer Abdullah, if he plays, will take care of kick returns.
STATUS: QUESTIONABLE
RB Ameer Abdullah
The Lions’ lead back is questionable with a neck injury that forced him to miss two practices earlier this week before a limited session on Friday.
Even if he suits up against the Ravens, however, Jim Bob Cooter indicated that he may cede carries to Theo Riddick, notes Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press.
Riddick continues to be a forgotten and undervalued weapon in the Lions’ offense. Perhaps Sunday’s contest will be an opportunity for Cooter to rediscover Riddick’s playmaking ability.
G TJ Lang
Lang (foot) also missed practice on Wednesday and Thursday, but was able to get in some limited work on Friday. He is expected to play, and his presence is crucial given the shuffling along the offensive line.
Next: What to watch for between Lions and Ravens
RAVENS INJURIES
The Ravens ruled out backup guard Jermaine Eluemunor with a knee injury, and several others are questionable.
Starting running back Alex Collins (calf) and tackle Ronnie Stanley (knee) each practiced fully on Thursday and Friday. CB Marlon Humphrey (thigh), LB C.J. Mosley (ankle), and CB Jimmy Smith (Achilles) were limited all week.