BREAKING: Final Detroit Lions Divisional Round injury report confirms absence of a starter

The Detroit Lions came back to Allen Park on Monday after their first round playoff bye. Tuesday’s practice was just a walkthrough, with player participation levels only estimated, so Wednesday was the first normal practice of the week, with absences that were a mix of not concerning and potentially very concerning.

Broadly, in light of the week off, there’s a lot of good injury news for the Lions heading into the Divisional Round against the Washington Commanders.

Running back David Montgomery has been a full practice participant all week, and he’s set to return from an MCL injury in his right knee.

Cornerback Terrion Arnold suffered a foot injury in Week 18. He has also been a full participant all week, and is good to go as well.

Facing the Commanders on Saturday night means Thursday was the final practice day of the week for the Lions, with injury designations announced afterward.

Detroit Lions’ final injury report for the Divisional Round

Here is the Lions’ final injury report for the Divisional Round.

OG Kevin Zeitler (hamstring)-Out
DL Pat O’Connor (calf)-Out
CB Ennis Rakestraw (hamstring/illness)-Questionable
OT Taylor Decker (personal)-No designation
CB Terrion Arnold (foot)-No designation
RB David Montgomery (knee)-No designation

Zeitler suffered a hamstring injury late in the regular season finale against the Vikings, and he did not practice all week this week. In his place, as head coach Dan Campbell confirmed on Thursday if it came to that, rookie Christian Mahogany will start at right guard.

Going into the bye week Campbell was not very optimistic about O’Connor, who was also injured in Week 18. There’s a chance he ends up on IR.

Decker missed Wednesday’s practice due to personal reasons, inviting the idea his wife gave birth since she was due this month. That was confirmed on Thursday.

Taylor Decker was back at practice today after he and his wife, Kyndra,, celebrated the birth of their second child (son Dane) this week.

— John Niyo (@JohnNiyo) January 16, 2025

Rakestraw is in his 21-day window to come off IR from a hamstring injury, and he added an illness to the mix this week. He was a limited participant on Thursday, helping draw a questionable designation for Saturday night.

As previously hinted, Montgomery and Arnold both don’t have an injury designation and are good to go against Washington.

And here is the final Divisional Round injury report for the Commanders.