Detroit Lions injury report: Week 14 at Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Detroit Lions will hobble their way to Tampa Bay this Sunday to take on the Buccaneers with one player ruled out and ten others, including Matthew Stafford, questionable.

Coming off consecutive losses and a slew of injuries, it is fair to say that the Detroit Lions‘ pride is hurt, literally and figuratively.

Yes, pun intended.

At the beginning of the week, it seemed that the only significant injury news to look out for was that of Matthew Stafford. This week’s injury report says otherwise.

The Lions enter Sunday’s game with the status of many key players up in the air. Of the eleven players listed on the report, only Sam Martin turned in a full practice this week.

Here’s how it breaks down:

OFFENSIVE SKILL PLAYERS

QUESTIONABLE: Matthew Stafford (right hand), Ameer Abdullah (neck)

Though the injury initially appeared devastating for the Lions’ franchise quarterback, x-rays on Stafford’s hand were negative. Also, Stafford did not appear hampered by the injury in practice. All signs point to him playing on Sunday.

The real scare for Stafford is the health of those sworn to protect him, which is a different story altogether.

Abdullah is still limited by a neck injury that kept him out of last week’s contest. He returned to practice this week, but did not practice in full.

Due to his impressive debut last week, expect to see more of Tion Green, regardless of Abdullah’s availability.

OFFENSIVE LINE

OUT: Rick Wagner (neck)

QUESTIONABLE: Emmett Cleary (ankle), T.J. Lang (foot), Corey Robinson (foot), Travis Swanson (knee)

Remember when the entire starting offensive line was healthy for the Lions?

Me neither.

The trend unfortunately continues this week, as Wagner continues to heal from a neck injury suffered last week against the Ravens.

Additionally, Lang and Swanson continue to deal with nagging injuries of their own. Swanson returned to practice in a limited fashion this week, and Lang missed two practices before a limited session on Friday.

DEFENSIVE LINE

QUESTIONABLE: Ezekiel Ansah (ankle), Cornelius Washington (shoulder)

After not appearing on the injury report last week for the first time all season, Ansah injured his ankle in the early going against the Ravens. He eventually returned to the game after missing several series, but the injury was enough to limit him in practice all week.

Washington was also limited with a shoulder ailment.

SPECIAL TEAMS

QUESTIONABLE: Sam Martin (right foot), Jamal Agnew (knee)

Of all the players listed questionable this week, Martin’s injury appears the least problematic. The punter turned in a full practice on Thursday and Friday, so his availability for Sunday is not a concern.

Agnew has missed consecutive games now with a knee injury suffered against the Chicago Bears, but the rookie did return the practice this week after missing last week entirely. He was limited each day, so his status is very much up in the air.

Next: Jim Caldwell focused under fire

BUCCANEERS INJURIES

Although the Bucs’ report has players, the injuries seem far more significant. Four players are ruled out, including starting CB Vernon Hargreaves, who will miss the game with a hamstring injury.

The depth along the Buccaneers’ defense will be tested, with backup safeties T.J. Ward (concussion) and Josh Robinson (hamstring), and defensive tackle Clinton McDonald (back) all slated to miss Sunday’s action.

Defensive end Ryan Russell (knee) is questionable.