The Detroit Lions’ defense has been battered and bruised for much of the season.
But the diminished unit emerged from a 40-34 victory over the San Francisco 49ers relatively unscathed. Now, there is hope that it could soon welcome back one of its key pieces, linebacker Alex Anzalone, who has been sidelined since breaking his left forearm in a Week 11 victory over Jacksonville.
“He’ll be out there running around today,” head coach Dan Campbell said Wednesday. “So, we’ll see how he does. (Thursday), I think, is going to be a really big day for us to see where he’s at.”
Heading into their showdown Sunday with Minnesota Vikings that will determine the NFC’s No. 1 seed, the Lions can use all the reinforcements they can get. Six defensive starters have landed on injured reserve since the beginning of the season, including star pass rusher Aidan Hutchinson. Several more valuable reserves have gone down as well.
Here’s a list of the Lions’ 13 injured defensive players.
Detroit Lions defense injuries
Players currently on injured reserve as of Week 18:
- DE Aidan Hutchinson (broken leg)
- DT Alim McNeill (knee, torn ACL)
- DT Kyle Peko (pectoral)
- DE Marcus Davenport (triceps)
- DE John Cominsky (knee, torn MCL)
- DT Mekhi Wingo (knee)
- DE Nate Lynn (shoulder)
- LB Alex Anzalone (broken forearm)
- LB Derrick Barnes (knee, torn PCL and MCL)
- LB Malcolm Rodriguez (knee, torn ACL)
- CB Khalil Dorsey (ankle)
- CB Carlton Davis (fractured jaw)
- CB Ennis Rakestraw Jr. (hamstring)
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Lions injury report vs Vikings in Week 18 on Wednesday
- CB Emmanuel Mosley (illness, out of Wednesday practice)
- LB Alex Anzalone (forearm, limited in Wednesday practice)
- LB Jack Campbell (rib, limited in Wednesday practice)
- CB Amik Robertson (calf, limited in Wednesday practice)
- RB David Montgomery (knee, out on Wednesday practice)
- WR Kalif Raymond (foot, full participant Wednesday)
