The Detroit Lions (2-1) and the Cleveland Browns (1-2) have declared their injury designations for their upcoming Week 4 matchup at Ford Field this Sunday. The Lions will be missing a key special teamers, but all their offensive and defensive starters are expected to play.<\/p>\n
Let\u2019s take a look at the latest injury report and get you up to date with what we know. Note: Any changes from previous reports will be bolded.<\/p>\n
RB Sione Vaki (hamstring, groin)LB Zach Cunningham (hamstring)S Daniel Thomas (forearm)<\/p>\n
Vaki worked his way back from a hamstring injury only to suffer a groin injury halfway through his first game back. This new soft tissue injury will keep him out of this game, and some rest will hopefully put him on a path to recovery soon. His absence will be felt most on special teams, and the Lions will have to find another kickoff return man to work alongside Jacob Saylors. During last week\u2019s game, Kalif Raymond filled in, but Grant Stuard could also be a possibility to take back over some return duties, or Detroit could choose to have Craig Reynolds take the spot, as he appears likely to be active this week.<\/p>\n
Cunningham was not on Wednesday\u2019s estimated injury report and showed up as limited on Thursday. An absence from Friday\u2019s practice and an \u201cout\u201d designation suggest he was injured on Thursday, which could put him in jeopardy of missing time next week as well.<\/p>\n
Thomas broke his hand in Week 1 and was able to play with a cast on his hand, but a broken forearm\u2014that required surgery, according to Dave Birkett of the Free Press\u2014will keep him out of this game. Thomas was filling an all-important starting gunner role on special teams, and with him unavailable, the Lions will need a replacement. In training camp, defensive back Rock Ya-Sin, and rookie wide receivers Isaac TeSlaa and Dominic Lovett saw time in the gunner role, and one of them is likely next in line for the role.<\/p>\n
LT Taylor Decker (shoulder)EDGE Al-Quadin Muhammad (knee)<\/p>\n
Decker had missed several practices during the regular season as the Lions continue to work on managing his shoulder issue. While he missed every practice this week, expectations are still high that he\u2019ll start at left tackle against the Browns. With his experience, the Lions feel confident he can miss practice and still perform at a high level in games, which has worked out so far this season. That being said, routine is not something the team prefers, and they\u2019re hoping to get him back practicing again soon.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019d rather it not be the case. But that\u2019s just the way it is right now. And we\u2019re just trying to get him to where he feels good and feels recovered as much as possible for the game. And it\u2019s the right thing to do right now,\u201d Lions coach Dan Campbell said of Decker\u2019s situation. \u201cAnd Decker\u2019s giving us what he\u2019s got, and we\u2019re all appreciative for that. We want him feeling good for the game and that\u2019s the most important thing right now for him. And we\u2019re fortunate he\u2019s played a lot of ball, he\u2019s played a ton of football, he\u2019s our most veteran player that we have. And so, fortunately, walkthrough reps serve him well. He can visualize it, he can see it, he works his craft out there when we\u2019re going through those, and so he\u2019s able to adapt. He\u2019s been pretty good for us the last couple of weeks.\u201d<\/p>\n
Muhammad broke out against the Ravens on Monday night, then gave Lions fans a bit of a scare when he was estimated not to have been able to practice on Wednesday. Fortunately, he told the media that he was expecting to play on Sunday, and then returned for Thursday and Friday practices. He\u2019s expected to start opposite Aidan Hutchinson against the Browns.<\/p>\n
Not listed with an injury designation<\/p>\n