Detroit Lions injury report: Week 16 at Cincinnati Bengals
By Matt Bosko
The Detroit Lions ruled out Travis Swanson, and T.J. Lang is unlikely to play Sunday against the Cincinnati Bengals, while Theo Riddick is set to return.
The Detroit Lions enter Week 16 in a quest to keep their postseason hopes alive against the Cincinnati Bengals, but will do so without the services of two starters on the offensive line.
Sound familiar?
The Lions have gone through nine different rotations along the offensive line this season, and the shuffling will continue Sunday.
The good news is that Theo Riddick, who left last week’s game with a wrist injury, practiced in full this week and is ready to go.
STATUS: OUT
C Travis Swanson
The Lions’ starting center has already missed two straight games, and this Sunday will make for a third. Swanson (concussion) was able to get in a limited practice on Friday, but a full practice is required to clear the league’s concussion protocol.
Graham Glasgow will once again start in his place, with Joe Dahl expected to start at guard.
STATUS: DOUBTFUL
G T.J. Lang
In the new age of injury report classification, doubtful is as good as out.
Lang (foot) tried to work through the injury and play last weekend against the Chicago Bears, but ended up leaving the game after 32 snaps on offense.
The veteran guard did not practice at all this week, and is not expected to play Sunday.
Don Barclay filled in for Lang last week, but the Lions will be able to choose between him and Corey Robinson if Rick Wagner is available.
STATUS: QUESTIONABLE
T Rick Wagner, T Brian Mihalik
Wagner (ankle) returned to practice this week, but only in a limited capacity. He missed last week’s contest with the injury, and given the way Corey Robinson performed in his absence, the Lions may proceed with caution.
Mihalik (illness) did not practice on Friday, and the Lions did not list his participation in practice for either Wednesday or Thursday.
DT Rodney Coe
The Lions acquired Coe off waivers last week from the Seattle Seahawks. He was inactive last week against the Bears, and his debut with the Lions may have to wait another week.
Like Mihalik, Coe is dealing with an illness that prevented him from practicing. Having only been with the team for a week, it is difficult to envision the defensive tackle having much of a role against the Bengals.
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BENGALS INJURIES
The Bengals placed two players on injured reserve this week – tackle Andre Smith (knee) and linebacker Nick Vigil (ankle). They will also be without their other starting tackle, Cedric Ogbuehi, who is dealing with a shoulder injury, while safety George Iloka (shoulder) is questionable. Running back Joe Mixon and linebacker Vontaze Burfict, who missed last week’s action with concussions, will return this week.