The Detroit Lions are already dealing with serious injuries to several key players. The injury list for the Lions is already long, and it includes starters like Cade Mays, Brian Branch, and Kerby Joseph, as well as important contributors like Isiah Pacheco and Jimmy Rolder. So, Lions fans understandably fear the potential of more injuries between now and the start of the season.
When Jameson Williams and Nick Whiteside popped up on the injury report and skipped practice on Sunday and Monday, there was some concern among the fanbase. Neither player participated in Monday night's scrimmage, with Williams listed with a shoulder injury and Whiteside with a hamstring ailment.
Fortunately, head coach Dan Campbell alleviated these concerns immediately. He said neither injury is particularly serious, calling Williams' injury "a little shoulder injury" and Whiteside's "a soft tissue, a hammy" before adding that "he'll be alright."
No major injury concern for Jameson Williams or Nick Whiteside
Waymo has been one of the stars of the training camp. Coming off back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons, the 25-year-old receiver is looking better than he ever has. He has been making a ton of plays all summer, looking much improved in terms of his pass-catching. An injury could have slowed down his momentum, but it looks like there is nothing to worry about.
Whiteside has been a bright spot, helping himself as much as any other player on the roster. Entering camp on the roster bubble, the cornerback has emerged as a lock to make the 53-man roster. His playmaking has been impressive on the outside, potentially earning him a role to start the season.
Soft tissue injuries are notoriously tricky. So, he needs to be careful about his return, as there is a high risk of re-injury, which can cause him to fall back down the depth chart. There is an intense battle in the cornerback room, not only to make the final roster, but also to earn the starting spot opposite DJ Reed.
Williams didn't play at all in Detroit's preseason debut and is unlikely to get much action in the remaining two games. Whether Whiteside will be able to return for preseason Week 2 against the Commanders on Saturday remains to be seen.
Dan Campbell announced that he expects a lot of the starters to play against Washington, but he didn't specify who and for how long. Even if we don't see either player again during the preseason, the Lions have every reason to be thrilled about where they are before the season.
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