The NFC-leading Detroit Lions active roster is mostly in good health as they take on the Tennessee Titans. During the week, the Lions lost Jameson Williams due to suspension and Josh Paschal due to an illness. The Titans lost DeAndre Hopkins and Ernest Jones due to trades. They also got downgrades to T’Vondre Sweat and Jarvis Brownlee, but an upgrade to Calvin Ridley.
For the Lions, the loss of Williams is cushioned by the fact that all the other offensive weapons are healthy. Elite stars like 2nd-team All-Pro Sam LaPorta have yet to have a breakout game this year, so there is plenty left in the arsenal.
For the Titans, whose record is 1-5, it’s understandable if the focus of the team is already shifting towards next season. Long-time Lions fans are nodding our heads in empathy.
Dan Campbell in his Friday press conference made comments on multiple players which I will include below.
DETROIT LIONS
Josh Paschal DE (NP NP NP – Out) illness
Paschal gave a positive update about his illness today. Here is the full article by Benjamin Raven of MLive.
Spoke with Lions DL Josh Paschal. He’s been out after something came up in his annual check ups after dealing with cancer in college.
He said he’s all good, thanked people at Henry Ford. Said it’s about getting his strength back, and is targeting a return for next week.
— Ben Raven (@BenjaminSRaven) October 25, 2024
Paschal was treated for malignant melanoma in 2018 which is life-threatening due to its potential to metastasize. Fortunately, it doesn’t sound like the current issue is related.
Skin screenings are something I recommend during routine health physicals of almost all ages as melanomas can occur in otherwise young, healthy people.
To help replace Paschal, Dan Campbell stated “we’ll use Isaiah Thomas”. The Lions signed this DE off the Bengals practice squad two weeks ago, so one of the newest members of the team might see his first action vs the Titans.
Christian Mahogany OG (FP FP FP – Out) illness
Dan Campbell on Friday stated “he’s made strides every week”. Mahogany’s mono illness should be long-resolved and the multi-week string of FP’s corroborates this.
His 21-day practice window is ending next week. If the Lions don’t put him on the roster at the end of his practice window, he is ineligible to return the rest of the year. It wouldn’t make sense for the Lions to have started his practice window this early in the season if they weren’t planning to put him on the roster. Thus, expect to see him on the roster on Monday or Tuesday next week.
Kevin Zeitler OG (FP FP FP – In) groin
Zeitler missed last game due to the groin, but he is ready to go on Sunday. The typically reliable Kayode Awosika had a rough game vs the Vikings so it’s good to get Zeitler back.
Taylor Decker OT (NP FP FP – In) rest
In the offseason, Decker had ankle/foot surgeries including a sesamoidectomy, bone spur removal, and deltoid ligament repair. This warrior played through all those issues last year. The sesamoidectomy and bone spurs can be signs of chronic issues that would benefit from regular rest days as he battles through them during a season.
Graham Glasgow OG (NP FP FP – In) rest
Glasgow had a minor knee issue in week two but has otherwise been healthy.
Frank Ragnow C (NP FP FP – In) rest
Ragnow is now 4.5 weeks removed from his left pec strain and has looked like his usual All-Pro self in the past two games.
Levi Onwuzurike DT (NP FP FP – In) rest
Onwuzurike had a minor right knee issue in week three but otherwise has been healthy this year. He does have a significant history of a remarkable recovery from an L5-S1 lumbar fusion in 2022.
NOTABLES
Jameson Williams
Williams is out due to a two-game suspension for stimulants or diuretics (masking agents). He’ll also miss next game vs the Packers but will be back vs the Texans on Sunday Night Football.
Ifeatu Melifonwu
On Friday, Dan Campbell said, “he’s better than when we put him on injured reserve… he’s progressed nicely”. Melifonwu hurt his ankle area around August 17 and has yet to play this season. There were some scattered reports that the injury might actually be an Achilles.
An Achilles tendonitis would explain the uncertain, longer-than-anticipated timeline for Melifonwu as neither player nor medical want to take any chances it could lead to an Achilles rupture. We are seeing a similar situation play out with Christian McCaffrey, who has yet to play this year due to bilateral Achilles tendonitis.
Melifonwu is eligible to return from IR next week vs the Packers.
TENNESSEE TITANS
Will Levis QB (LP LP LP – Questionable) right shoulder
Levis missed last game with a right AC joint sprain and reports strongly suggest he’s out against the Lions with Mason Rudolph making another start. His status may be more of a coach’s decision than a medical decision.
L’Jarius Snead CB (NP NP NP – Out) quad
Snead is a starting CB who missed last game and is out again this Sunday. This is a big loss for the Titans.
Jarvis Brownlee DB (UL UL LP – Questionable) ankle
This 5th-round rookie starting CB has played 100% of snaps the past two games. The Titans could be missing both starting CB’s if Brownlee can’t go.
Calvin Ridley WR (NP NP FP – IN) foot
This starting WR has 12 receptions for 183 yards on the year.
T’Vondre Sweat DT (UL LP NP- Questionable) hip
With an NP on Friday, he’s likely out. This 2nd-round rookie has played around 75% of snaps in every game this year so he could be a big loss.
Jerome Baker (UL NP LP – Questionable) rest
Baker joined the team this week in the Ernest Jones trade.
Tyjae Spears RB (LP LP LP – Questionable) hamstring
Spears has 33 carries for 114 yards this year.
Cedric Gray LB (FP FP FP – Out) shoulder
Gray is a 4th-round rookie who has yet to play this year due to injury.
Jaelyn Duncan OT (NP NP NP – Out) hamstring
Duncan plays limited snaps on offense.
NOTABLES
DeAndre Hopkins WR
Hopkins, who has 15 receptions for 173 yards this year, was traded this week for a pick.
Ernest Jones LB
This starting LB, who has played close to 100% of snaps this year, was traded this week to the Seahawks in exchange for Jerome Baker and a 4th-round pick.
Here’s the full report:
