Lions vs Packers: Initial injury report and medical analysis

The Lions gutted (or should I say Gibbed) out a win over the Giants, which sets up a monumental game on Thanksgiving vs the Packers.

While the win over the mediocre (and possibly tanking) Giants team wasn't exactly impressive, it raises a philosophical question. Would you rather be blowing teams out regularly, but losing key players for the year? Or would you rather be squeaking out frustrating wins, but getting a bunch of players back towards the end of the season?

Despite a dominant 15-2 regular season last year, the Lions fizzled out immediately in the playoffs. This year, the Lions have had struggles during the regular season, but are getting some important players back for the stretch run. Maybe the ending will in fact be better this year. If so, that ending probably needs to begin with a win on Thanksgiving.

It's a short week before Thanksgiving, which means a combined postgame report and initial injury report today. Fortunately, the only significant injury seen during the Giants game was to Kalif Raymond, who may have a left high ankle sprain. Brock Wright's neck isn't overly concerning yet, but is something to watch. There were no major surprises on the initial injury report which is something to be thankful for.

For the Packers, they have major losses this year with TE Tucker Kraft (ACL) and C Elgton Jenkins (fibula fracture).

Packer players to watch on the report this week:

• Josh Jacobs RB missed last game with a knee contusion (possible PCL).

• Keisean Nixon CB left last game with a stinger.

• Jayden Reed WR has been out since Week 2 with a clavicle fracture and Jones fracture, but could return this week.

• Jordan Love QB had a left AC joint injury a couple weeks ago but should be fine.

Lions starters out:

• Out: Sam LaPorta, TE

• Out: Christian Mahogany, LG

• Likely out: Kerby Joseph, S

(NP - no practice, LP - limited practice, FP - full practice)

DETROIT LIONS

NP - Kalif Raymond, WR (ankle)

On video, there is concern for a left high ankle sprain as he is rolled up on from the side. A medial ankle sprain is possible also. He left the game and didn't return.

A mild high ankle could be back within 2-4 weeks. A severe one can even result in a fibula fracture and put him out for months. The video didn't look too bad, so optimistically, he'll avoid IR this week and be back soon.

NP - Brock Wright, TE (neck)

Wright landed on his head in the 2nd quarter but finished out the game without issue. This neck injury seems likely related to that play. Hopefully it's just a simple sprained neck and not a surprise spinal issue (see LaPorta).

NP - Graham Glasgow, C (left knee) starter

Glasgow hurt his left knee in the previous game against the Eagles. Against the Giants, he was slow getting up on a play in the 3rd quarter, but he still played 100% of snaps. I expect him to be ready on Thanksgiving.

NP - Kerby Joseph, S (left knee) starter

Joseph last played on October 12. This early week NP very likely keeps him out on Thanksgiving. His target may be December 4 vs the Cowboys.

LP - Terrion Arnold, CB (concussion) starter

After missing the last 2 games, Arnold gets an early week LP which has him trending in for Thanksgiving. Unless there is a setback, he should get up to an FP in the next 2 days which would almost certainly put him in.

LP - Brian Branch, S (toe/ankle) starter

Branch had a toe listing entering the Giants game. Now, a new ankle listing has popped up. He was slow getting up at the 10 minute mark of the 3rd quarter but video didn't show any obvious injury.

Even though he played 100% of snaps, he didn't look quite right all game to my eyes.  While I expect him to play on Thanksgiving, his practice status this week will be worth watching.

LP - Taylor Decker, OT (right shoulder) starter

Decker has played 5 straight games which is a good sign that his shoulder issue is stabilizing. He should be in on Thanksgiving.

LP - Tate Ratledge, OG (knee) starter

Ratledge hurt his left knee vs the Eagles 2 weeks ago. During the 3rd quarter vs the Giants, he was slow getting up at the 11 minute mark, but video looked benign. He played 100% of snaps vs the Giants, and I expect him to play on Thanksgiving.

LP - Jacob Saylors, RB (back/shoulder)

Saylors has been on the report recently with the back injury but has played through. There is a new shoulder listing but the LP is reassuring. He played 20 special teams snaps vs the Giants.

LP - Penei Sewell, OT (ankle) starter

Sewell injured his left ankle 3 weeks ago and still may be hampered by it. He was slow getting up in the 2nd quarter vs the Giants, but played 100% of snaps. He should be in on Thanksgiving.

LP - Isaac TeSlaa, WR (hand)

His oblique is off the report, but now he has a hand. The LP is reassuring it's not serious like a fracture.

LP - Sione Vaki, RB (ankle)

Vaki has played through an ankle issue the past couple weeks and I expect that to continue. He got 20 special teams snaps vs the Giants.

FP - Marcus Davenport, EDGE (right shoulder) starter

Davenport has not played since September 14 with a reported pec strain. He got an FP last Friday and he starts this week with an FP. He's on track to have a full week of FP and play on Thanksgiving.

FP - Miles Frazier, OG (knee)

Frazier's 21-day window expires on Tuesday, so expect him to be "activated" to the 53-man roster by then. That doesn't necessarily mean he'll be active on gameday though. Last year, Christian Mahogany made a quick rise to primary OG backup after missing half the season. We'll see if the same happens with Frazier.

FP - Josh Paschal, EDGE (back)

Like with Frazier, Paschal's 21-day window expires on Tuesday, so expect him to be "activated" to the 53-man roster by then. Thanksgiving was the likely target date for his return, and the early week FP has him tracking to hit that target.

NOTABLES UNLISTED

DJ Reed (hamstring) is off the report after his first game in 2 months. He only played 38% of snaps, but was in on the final 2 snaps in overtime. This suggests the low snap count was planned and not due to any kind of aggravation.

The Lions typically don't ease players back, but did so this time with Reed (which I fully support). The extended 2-month absence as well as 2 games in 5 days may have been the reasons. Assuming there is no significant soreness, expect Reed to get an increased workload on Thanksgiving.

PUP/NFI

• Alim McNeill, DT (ACL) - returned to play Oct 20 (Day 20 of window)

• Malcolm Rodriguez, LB (ACL) - returned to play Nov 23 (Day 27 post-window)

• Josh Paschal, EDGE (back) - window opened Nov 5

• Miles Frazier, OG (knee) - window opened Nov 5

IR (injured reserve) - eligible to return this season

(Rules recap: There is no limit to the number of players that can be placed on IR. Must stay on IR for minimum 4 games. Only 8 are allowed to return during regular season plus bonus 2 for the playoffs. Last season, Lions used 7 returns during regular season and 1 during playoffs.)

Eligible return dates:

• Week 7: Shane Zylstra

• Week 8 (bye)

• Week 9 vs Vikings:

• Week 10 vs Commanders (Nov 9):

• Week 11 vs Eagles (Nov 16): Giovanni Manu

• Week 12 vs Giants (Nov 23):

• current Week 13 vs Packers (Nov 27): Zach Cunningham

• Week 14 vs Cowboys (Dec 4): Christian Mahogany

• Week 15 vs Rams (Dec 14): Sam LaPorta

• Week 16 vs Steelers (Dec 21):

IR returns: 4 - Thomas, Reed, Davenport, Dorsey

IR players:

• Sam LaPorta, TE (back, Nov 9) -  Unspecified back surgery and almost certainly out for the season.

• Pat O'Connor, DT (knee, Nov 2) - Placed on IR Nov 14, then released on Nov 15.

• Christian Mahogany, OG (suspected left fibula fracture, Nov 2) - This fracture is not necessarily season-ending. He has a chance to return in December.

• Zach Cunningham, LB (hamstring, Oct 20) - In his first game back from a hamstring first suffered at the end of September, he presumably injured it again.

• Giovanni Manu, OT (knee, Oct 9) - Presumably hurt himself in practice. On Nov 5, Dan Campbell stated: "Gio's still a few weeks out. I don't see us starting him within the next week or two."

• returned Khalil Dorsey, CB (wrist, Oct 3) - Returned to play Nov 23 (Day 4 of window)

• returned DJ Reed, CB (left hamstring, Sep 28) - Returned to play Nov 23 (Day 12 of window)

• returned Daniel Thomas, S (forearm fracture, Sep 22) - Returned to play November 9 (Day 14 of window)

• returned Marcus Davenport, EDGE (right pec strain, Sep 14) - Window opened Nov 12. Since his practice window wasn't opened at the first opportunity, expect him to use most of the 21-day window before playing. Nov 27 or Dec 4 are the likely return games.

• Shane Zylstra, TE (suspected right high ankle sprain, Sep 14) - Video suggested a high ankle sprain which can take around 1-2 months - longer if there is a fracture. Hope he can start practicing sometime in November.

• Jamarco Jones, OT (ankle, Sep 4) - Eligible to return anytime, but was ruled out for season.

• Ezekiel Turner, LB (Achilles, Aug 23) - Eligible to return anytime but suspected to not be returning. Note: there is uncertainty whether Turner was actually designated eligible to return on the cutdown date.

IR - NOT eligible to return this season (key players listed)

• Ennis Rakestraw, CB (shoulder)

• Levi Onwuzurike, DT (ACL)

• Kenny Yeboah, TE (unspecified)

• Colby Sorsdal, OG (leg)

• Justin Herron, OT (arm)

• Dan Jackson, S (leg)

This article originally appeared on Lions Wire: Lions vs Packers: Initial injury report and medical analysis