The Detroit Lions were ravaged by injuries throughout the 2025 campaign and, as a result, will be watching the playoffs from the comfort of their own homes. The team has one game remaining, Sunday's tilt with the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field, but their fate is sealed regardless of the outcome of that game.
This makes injury concerns entering Week 18 for players we know will remain part of the puzzle for the 2026 season something worth keeping a close eye on. For starting offensive tackle Penei Sewell, the likelihood that he sees the field for the regular season finale took a significant hit on Friday.
"I don't feel great about Sewell right now, but I'm always gonna hold out hope," Campbell said about the two-time All-Pro's chances of seeing the field after missing practice with an ankle issue, via Eric Woodyard of ESPN.
Shortly after Campbell's comments, Sewell was officially ruled out of the contest. Meaning he will enter the offseason dealing with an injury he was unable to recover from during the 2025 campaign. Joining Sewell on the list of walking wounded ruled out of Week 18 are linebacker Alex Anzalone (concussion/personal), safety Thomas Harper (concussion), defensive lineman Alim McNeill (abdomen), and interior offensive lineman Trystan Colon (wrist).
Lions' Penei Sewell Enters 2026 Offseason With Nagging Injury Issue
Injuries are not something that Sewell has been forced to deal with very often during his tenure in the Motor City. In fact, over his five-year career with the Lions, Week 18 will mark just the second game that the offensive lineman will miss. With Sewell ruled out of the contest, Dan Skipper is expected to be inserted into the starting lineup in the veteran's place.
Campbell pulled no punches when addressing the impact the loss of Sewell will have in Week 18, but, as any good coach should, he has confidence in the players behind the Pro Bowler on the depth chart stepping up when their number is called.
“But as far as does it affect you not having him? Yeah, it does,” Campbell said of Sewell, via Benjamin Raven of MLive.com. “I mean, he’s a phenomenal player. He’s a phenomenal football player.
“Yet, we’ve got guys who are going to step in and do a good job for us. They’ve got a job to do, they’ll have a role, and we expect them to hold up their end of the bargain.”
Fortunately, at this time, it does not appear that Sewell will require surgery to fix his ankle. The fact that he will be forced to spend time rehabbing rather than preparing as he normally would for the start of the 2026 season is a concern. With the type of financial investments Detroit has made in its skill position players on offense, there is a distinct need for Sewell's ability to protect Jared Goff in the pocket while also helping create running lanes for Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery.
There is little reason to doubt that Sewell won't do everything in his power to fully recover from this injury so that he is ready to roll once OTAs begin later this year. The fact he has to do it at all, though, is something that Campbell and his staff wish was not the case.