Detroit Lions vs. Patriots Injury Report: Latest Updates Before Germany Game

The Detroit Lions wrapped up their second practice before heading overseas to Germany. Dan Campbell announced that the team would practice Thursday before departing for Germany Thursday night to take on the New England Patriots.

It has been more than 11 years since the Lions last traveled overseas to play a football game, and Detroit will have to deal with several injuries heading into this matchup.

The Lions have already ruled out three key players. Center Cade Mays will miss his second consecutive game after suffering an ankle injury against the Vikings. He also missed last week’s matchup against the Dolphins. Fortunately for Detroit, Juice Scruggs has stepped up in a big way and is currently the second-highest-graded center in the NFL, according to PFF.

Cornerback DJ Reed was also ruled out with a hip injury, marking his second absence of the season. This might be the most impactful loss for Detroit, as Reed had been playing some of his best football of the season after bouncing back from a slow start. Rock Ya-Sin stepped up in a big way last week, and the Lions will need another strong performance from him against New England.

Those two weren’t the only players ruled out, as safety Kerby Joseph was also officially sidelined. It’s unclear when, or even if, Joseph will return this season. However, he did log his first full practice of the season Thursday after being limited Wednesday and throughout previous practices.

Running back Sione Vaki did not practice Wednesday or Thursday and is currently questionable for Sunday. Amon-Ra St. Brown logged two limited practices this week and is also listed as questionable. However, there’s reason to be optimistic about his availability for Sunday’s international matchup.

Both Brian Branch and Jared Goff were limited participants Wednesday before being upgraded to full participants Thursday. Both are expected to be good to go for kickoff.

Jacob Saylors also logged two full practices after missing last week’s game with neck and hamstring injuries and is expected to be available. Detroit will receive another boost on the defensive side of the ball, as DJ Wonnum has cleared concussion protocol and logged two full practices this week.

New England, on the other hand, is dealing with plenty of injuries of its own. The Patriots have already ruled out running back TreVeyon Henderson and starting cornerback, as well as former Lion, Carlton Davis.

Initially, many fans believed Rhamondre Stevenson would be ruled out for this game after suffering a knee injury that was expected to sideline him for a couple of weeks. However, things have taken a turn. Stevenson did not practice Wednesday but logged a limited session Thursday, leaving his status for Sunday officially up in the air.

Starting tight end Hunter Henry is also questionable while dealing with a foot injury. He logged limited practices on both Wednesday and Thursday.

Another big name to monitor is A.J. Brown, who is dealing with knee and ankle injuries that kept him out of last week’s game. Brown has logged two limited practices this week and is currently questionable for Sunday’s matchup.

Starting safety Kevin Byard is also dealing with a chest injury and has been limited in back-to-back practices.

New England should have a much clearer picture of its injury situation by Saturday evening as both teams prepare for Sunday’s international showdown.