{"id":10981,"date":"2025-01-18T11:31:33","date_gmt":"2025-01-18T11:31:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/breakingnews.azontree.com\/?p=10981"},"modified":"2025-01-18T11:31:33","modified_gmt":"2025-01-18T11:31:33","slug":"breaking-news-the-key-players-detroit-lions-expect-to-have-back-for-playoff-game-vs-commanders","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/breakingnews.azontree.com\/?p=10981","title":{"rendered":"BREAKING NEWS :The key players Detroit Lions expect to have back for playoff game vs. Commanders"},"content":{"rendered":"
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DETROIT<\/strong> \u2013 The Detroit Lions are expecting to get some key players back from injury for their NFL Divisional Round matchup against the Washington Commanders at Ford Field.<\/p>\n

History of this matchup<\/h3>\n

As the No. 6 seed, Washington upset Baker Mayfield and the No. 3 seed Tampa Bay Buccaneers 23-20 to advance in the playoffs.<\/p>\n

Kickoff for the game is set for 8 p.m. Saturday (Jan. 18) for the fourth installment of the Lions and Commanders duking it out in the playoffs.<\/p>\n

The three previous installments went in favor of the Commanders, who beat Detroit in the 1999 Wild Card Round 27-13 in Landover, Maryland.<\/p>\n

The Commanders before that eliminated the Lions 41-10 in the NFC Championship game in the nation\u2019s capital and again in the 1982 strike-shorten season 31-7 inside Robert F. Kennedy Stadium.<\/p>\n

<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

But the 2024 Lions feel like this year\u2019s team is different than those in years past, as they have locked up the best record in the league at 15-2.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe got some things to clean up, but playing Detroit, they\u2019re the No. 1 seed for a reason,\u201d said wide receiver Terry McLaurin. \u201cThey got our respect, but there\u2019s a reason we say \u2018Anywhere, anytime, anyplace.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

Like the Commanders, the Lions have been rolling during the 2024 season as they\u2019ve clinched the best record in the conference, winning the NFC North Division and securing a much-needed bye-week while locking up the No. 1 seed.<\/p>\n

The 15-2 record set a franchise record for most wins in a regular season, but Detroit has been ravaged by injuries to most of their big-name players on both sides of the ball.<\/p>\n

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But the good news is those big names could potentially return for Saturday\u2019s matchup, according to head coach <\/b>Dan Campbell.<\/p>\n

Lions starting to get healthy<\/h3>\n

Ahead of their bye week, the Lions saw key contributors like linebacker Alex Anzalone and All-Pro punt returner Kalif Raymond return to the field during their Week 18 prime-time matchup for all the chips vs. the Minnesota Vikings.<\/p>\n

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During their 31-9 victory, the Lions added a few more players to the updated injury report as cornerback Terrion Arnold was carted off the field and later seen in a walking boot during the bye week after suffering a foot injury.<\/p>\n

They also lost guard Kevin Zeitler to an apparent hamstring injury in the victory; Campbell said both players were headed in the right direction but did not promise they would suit up vs. Washington.<\/p>\n

On Thursday\u2019s final practice report, Zeitler was listed as \u201cout\u201d for the game, so the Lions will have to fill in a major hole along the offensive line.<\/p>\n

But it appears Arnold should be good to go.<\/p>\n

<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Campbell spoke during their bye week and gave positive feedback on two other players who could potentially boost both sides of the ball.<\/p>\n

David Montgomery<\/h3>\n

There have been rumblings that running back David Montgomery (Knuckles) could potentially return from his torn MCL during the playoffs, and Campbell all but confirmed that he will suit up this weekend.<\/p>\n

Reporter<\/b>: \u201cAre you expecting to have Montgomery next week when you play your playoff game?\u201d<\/p>\n

Campbell<\/b>: \u201cI do, I do.\u201d<\/p>\n

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With Knuckles sidelined, sidekick Jahmyr Gibbs (Sonic the Hedgehog) collected a multitude of coins as he passed every board with flying colors, including 170 scrimmage yards and four touchdowns while receiving NFC Player of the Week honors.<\/p>\n

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But it\u2019s safe to say the duo\u2019s reuniting will cause havoc for future opponents, including the Commanders.<\/p>\n

<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Ennis Rakestraw Jr.<\/h3>\n

The Lions designated rookie cornerback Ennis Rakestraw Jr. from the injured reserve after missing most of the season due to a hamstring injury.<\/p>\n

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On Thursday (Jan. 9), Campbell said he believed he could return sometime this season.<\/p>\n

This would be a massive boost for the Lions, who are without cornerback Carlton Davis III due to a broken jaw.<\/p>\n

<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Aidan Hutchinson<\/h3>\n

The Lions have been tight-lipped on the status of defensive end Aidan Hutchinson.<\/b><\/p>\n

Hutchinson was in the midst of achieving the Defensive Player of the Year award before breaking his tibia and fibula in his left leg during an Oct. 13 battle inside Jerry\u2019s World against the Dallas Cowboys.<\/p>\n

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Hutchinson said he was targeting a return by Super Bowl LIX, but Campbell tempered expectations by saying he was out for the season.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe has a season-ending injury, but if anybody can come back from this, it would be Aidan, is the best way to say it,\u201d Campbell said.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n

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The Detroit Lions are expecting to get back key reinforcements ahead of their NFL Divisional Round matchup against Jayden Daniels and his Washington Commanders.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":10982,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[53,245,668,307,576,49,667,52,664,666,665],"class_list":["post-10981","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-detroit-lions","tag-aidan-hutchinson","tag-alex-anzalone","tag-carlton-davis-iii","tag-dan-campbell","tag-david-montgomery","tag-detroit-lions","tag-ennis-rakestraw-jr","tag-jahmyr-gibbs","tag-kalif-raymond","tag-kevin-zeitler","tag-terrion-arnold"],"yoast_head":"\nBREAKING NEWS :The key players Detroit Lions expect to have back for playoff game vs. Commanders - Breaking News<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/breakingnews.azontree.com\/?p=10981\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"BREAKING NEWS :The key players Detroit Lions expect to have back for playoff game vs. Commanders - 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