Injury prevention is at the forefront of everybody’s mind especially after the high number of injuries to the Detroit Lions defense in 2024. One actionable way to prevent injuries is to try to limit the number caused by friendly fire – teammates hitting each other.
The main preventable, friendly fire collision occurs when the ballcarrier is already wrapped up and another defender comes crashing in to lay a big hit. Those kinds of hits often end up inadvertently landing big blows to a defensive (and defenseless) teammate. Over the decades of watching football, I have noticed more awareness amongst defensive players of avoiding unnecessary late hits to an already wrapped-up ballcarrier.
There is certainly a lot of gray area when it comes to defining what is an unnecessary hit, so it’s not fair to lay total blame to players for any of the resulting injuries. Things happen fast on the field, and it’s not always clear when a ballcarrier is wrapped up and secured.
The other side of the coin is that players have faced scrutiny and criticism for not rushing into the action when a ballcarrier unexpectedly breaks free. It’s important to realize that avoiding friendly fire can sometimes be unfairly labelled as passivity or a “business decision” on video.
I reviewed the season of injuries to the defense and compiled the injury videos of Lions players colliding with each other. Some of these collisions are simply fluky collisions that I would not put in the category of friendly fire, but the videos are here so you can decide for yourself.
Amik Robertson
Left humerus fracture – Being the last game of the season, he did not miss any future games. Likely he would have missed at least 8 weeks otherwise.
Amik Robertson L elbow/arm injury video
-Deformity of L upper arm area. Concern for humerus fracture. pic.twitter.com/QvlwlzlLxE— Jimmy Liao MD | Detroit Lions Morning Rounds (@JimmyLiaoMD) January 19, 2025
Alex Anzalone
Concussion – Missed one game. A quick, late juke by Baker Mayfield led to this friendly fire collision.
Alex Anzalone concussion video. Brutal helmet shot into right jaw. pic.twitter.com/exl3YHsQjf
— Jimmy Liao MD | Detroit Lions Morning Rounds (@JimmyLiaoMD) September 15, 2024
Left forearm fracture – Missed 6 games. On video, you can see that Anzalone did not have the runner wrapped up at all. Branch and Anzalone make contact with the runner almost simultaneously.
Alex Anzalone L forearm fracture injury video
-Slomo zoom looks like midshaft
-Dan Campbell says 6-8wks. MNF vs 49ers 6wks away.
-Possibly could be back sooner but no reason to rush with playoffs 8-9wks away
-Fully healed for playoffs, no long-term concerns pic.twitter.com/mRS0iVZtgp— Jimmy Liao MD | Detroit Lions Morning Rounds (@JimmyLiaoMD) November 18, 2024
Aidan Hutchinson
Left tibia/fibula fracture – Missed rest of season. This collision was due to two players both doing their jobs effectively and getting to the QB. Hutchinson’s spinning leg-whip action ended up hitting Alim McNeill’s leg.
Of note, this same leg-whip action by Hutchinson resulted in McNeill’s MCL sprain the year prior. See my initial Hutchinson injury article for comparison of the two injury videos.
Aidan Hutchinson tib/fib fracture injury video
-Leg whip mechanism
-Despite gruesome nature, early reports/prognosis are good. Not open fracture. Presume no nerve/vascular damage.
-Good chance of full recovery in 6-9mo. Should be back in plenty of time for start of 2025. pic.twitter.com/nzXJRiY3b1— Jimmy Liao MD | Detroit Lions Morning Rounds (@JimmyLiaoMD) October 14, 2024
Khalil Dorsey
Right lower leg/ankle fracture – Missed rest of the season. This one looked to just be bad luck as the two Lions were trying to run past each other and collided legs.
Khalil Dorsey R ankle fracture injury video
-Likely tib/fib close to ankle joint
-Out for year
-Hope the joint damage is minimal as that could complicate recovery pic.twitter.com/89Y0N51j57— Jimmy Liao MD | Detroit Lions Morning Rounds (@JimmyLiaoMD) December 16, 2024
Terrion Arnold
Right foot contusion – Missed the rest of the game. Arnold’s foot was landed on here in a fluky way. Fortunately, there was no serious injury.
Terrion Arnold right foot injury video
-Comes down hard with hyperextended toes and foot also twists
-Hope just mild hyperextended toes (turf toe) pic.twitter.com/szb3121vLR— Jimmy Liao MD | Detroit Lions Morning Rounds (@JimmyLiaoMD) January 6, 2025
Carlton Davis
Cleat to the head – A fluky cleat to a helmetless head caused Davis to miss the rest of the game. Peculiarly, two months later, Davis suffered a jaw fracture that was completely unrelated to friendly fire.
Carlton Davis cleat-to-head video
-Head crunched then takes wicked shot to bare head
-Did not return. Presumably passed concussion eval as he was hanging out on sideline. Prob more scared than injured.
-Fortunate no laceration or eye damage
-I expect him to be fine for next game pic.twitter.com/nVNVSVWUvJ— Jimmy Liao MD | Detroit Lions Morning Rounds (@JimmyLiaoMD) October 14, 2024