Lions Face Key Injuries as Thanksgiving Test Intensifies
So let’s break down what’s been happening with the Detroit Lions today, because the team walked into their Thanksgiving matchup against the Packers with a pretty complicated set of challenges. And honestly, the story of this game started before kickoff, when the inactive list dropped and it became clear that Detroit would be missing some major pieces.
First off, the big headline was centered around the offensive line. Graham Glasgow, who has been incredibly dependable all season, was ruled out with a knee injury. This was his first missed game of the year, and his absence was felt immediately because the center position is such a stabilizing point for the offense. Trystan Colon was the likely next man up, and the team even elevated Kingsley Eguakun from the practice squad as insurance. But the twist in all this came with the reinstatement of Frank Ragnow. Detroit activated him from the Reserve/Retired List just in time to meet the league’s deadline, and even though he’s placed on the Exempt/Commissioner Permission List for now, the expectation is that he’ll be back in uniform very soon. For a team pushing for consistency up front, that’s huge news.
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Defensively, there was at least one bit of optimism. Edge rusher Marcus Davenport made his return for the first time since suffering a pectoral injury back in Week 2. That’s a long recovery, and getting him back gives Detroit’s pass rush a real shot in the arm—especially against a Packers offense that has allowed one of the lowest sack totals in the league. Davenport being active instantly added some much-needed pressure potential on the edge.
But the injury concerns didn’t end there. The Lions were also without their No. 3 receiver Kalif Raymond, who’s been a reliable option not only in the passing game but also as a punt and kick returner. His ankle injury meant Detroit had to adjust quickly. Rookie Dominic Lovett stepped in with return experience, and the team pulled veteran Tom Kennedy up from the practice squad—someone who knows the system and has handled return duties before.
The tight end situation might have been the toughest blow. With Sam LaPorta already sidelined, Brock Wright had been filling in as the top tight end. But with Wright also ruled out due to a neck injury, Detroit ended up down their top two players at the position. That forced a rotation of Ross Dwelley, Anthony Firkser, and Zach Horton—three guys who suddenly had to fill a role normally carried by one dominant playmaker.
When you add it all up—Glasgow, Raymond, Wright, plus Kerby Joseph, Miles Frazier, Tyler Lacy, and Mekhi Wingo also listed as inactive—you understand just how patched-together this roster looked today. It wasn’t ideal, especially for a holiday rivalry game with playoff implications. Still, the Lions were pushed into a next-man-up mindset, the kind that often defines November and December football.
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