Status update on 10 key Lions recovering from offseason medical issues

After missing most of last year with a severe right high ankle sprain and fibula fracture, would Houston be able to display the special pass-rushing skills seen in his rookie year? 

Unfortunately, a bone bruise likely limited Houston during the entire preseason. He was also wearing a right knee brace in the 1st preseason game and it’s unknown if the brace was related to the bone bruise or to a separate injury. He missed the 2nd preseason game due to injury but returned for the 3rd preseason game.

Houston’s overall performance in the 1st and 3rd preseason games did not match the highlight tape reel of his rookie year but he did have a couple of nice QB pressures from the right DE position as well as a sack from the left DE position.

Houston made the 53-man roster which was a positive sign as he was widely viewed as a player on the bubble.

VERDICT: Inconclusive

With a right quad tendon tear on December 16, 2023 as well as a knee scope in June this year, Reader was expected to be questionable for the start of the season as recovery from a quad tendon tear takes about 9 months. He started camp on the PUP (physically unable to perform) list as expected.

A very good sign for his recovery was his early activation off the PUP list on August 25th which was 2 weeks before the opener. The Lions showed confidence in Reader’s recovery by spurning strategic reasons to keep him on PUP such as freeing up a roster spot as well as easing him into the season to try to have him healthy for the playoffs.

VERDICT: Thumbs up

After an L5-S1 lumbar fusion surgery in October 2022, Onwuzurike made a remarkable recovery to play in 13 games last year. Would he be able to avoid setbacks and continue making progress in his almost unprecedented recovery from this kind of surgery?

Throughout camp, Onwuzurike received glowing reports from Dan Campbell and was playing with the 1st string defense. In the 1st preseason game, he notched 3 tackles and was subsequently held out of the final 2 preseason games like other key members of the team.

There have been no setbacks and all signs are pointing up for Onwuzurike as he heads into his 2nd season after lumbar fusion surgery.

VERDICT: Thumbs up

Branch was observed at the NFL draft in April rolling around on a knee scooter due to an undisclosed surgery likely to his left foot or ankle. Last season, there were no indications of injuries to his left leg. Without any details of the surgery, the severity of the issue is uncertain.

Branch briefly started on the PUP list and was limited the 1st week of camp, but since then has been full-go as he transitions to the safety position. He did not play in any preseason games and there have been no reports of any setbacks with his left leg.

VERDICT: Thumbs up.

Joseph injured his hip in week 2 last year, missed 2 games, and ended up having offseason hip surgery.

He was never placed on the PUP list and was a full participant in camp with no setbacks or injuries. Joseph did not play in any preseason games and looks to be fully recovered from the surgery with no limitations.

VERDICT: Thumbs up.

Decker is recovering from multiple offseason surgeries on his ankle and foot including a sesamoidectomy, bone spur removal and deltoid ligament repair. I went into detail on the short-term and long-term impact of these surgeries in this video ⬇️.

Decker was never placed on the PUP list and there have been no reported problems or setbacks during camp. He did not play in any preseason games and looks ready to roll in the regular season.

VERDICT: Thumbs up

Moseley suffered a right ACL tear on October 8, 2023 after suffering a left ACL tear on October 9, 2022.

He did not start camp on the PUP list which was an excellent sign that his knee recovery was progressing well. However, a pectoral tear 2 weeks into camp sabotaged his comeback.

At the 53-man cutdown, Moseley was placed on the designated-to-return IR list which means a return later this year is probable. The ACL should not be a significant issue once he returns from his pec injury.

VERDICT: Thumbs down

The Lions 2nd round pick had core muscle surgery after his final college season at Missouri. With no game action since the surgery, there were questions of whether the surgery successfully addressed the issue and whether Rakestraw would return with the same athleticism.

Early in camp and in the 1st preseason game, Rakestraw flashed excellent ability and has gone a long way towards putting those concerns to rest. He did not play in the final 2 preseason games which may have been due to a minor ankle injury he suffered in camp. He is expected to be ready for the regular season opener.

VERDICT: Thumbs up

In an effort to bolster the pass rush, the Lions dipped into free agency to sign this 27-year-old defensive end from the Vikings. Davenport only played 4 games last year due to bilateral ankle injures. The more severe injury was a left high ankle sprain on October 15, 2023 which required tightrope surgery and ended his season.

In camp, Davenport appears to be fully recovered and has had no setbacks. He has been running with the 1st string and did not play in any preseason games. Despite the positive news, there remains the possibility that his ankle injuries will affect his pass rush productivity going forward.

VERDICT: Thumbs up

Following the departure of Jonah Jackson, this 34-year-old free agent from the Ravens was signed to fill the gap at OG. Zeitler reportedly had knee and ankle issues that caused him to miss the final 2 regular season games of last year although he did return to play in both playoff games. During offseason minicamp, he was still limited.

Fortunately, there have been no reported limitations to his legs in training camp. However, he did suffer a minor shoulder injury that has kept him out of practice since before the 1st preseason game. The shoulder issue is not expected to prevent him from playing in the season opener.

VERDICT: Inconclusive

The final tally is 7 thumbs up, 2 inconclusives, and 1 thumbs down for these players with question marks heading into training camp.

Taken as a whole, their collective recovery coming off significant medical issues is very positive and bolsters the Lions heading into this highly-anticipated season.