Lions-Bengals injury report: Travis Swanson, T.J. Lang remain out; Vontaze Burfict returns

The Detroit Lions’ injury report remained relatively unchanged on Thursday. The only change involved veteran defensive end Dwight Freeney, who returned to practice after his normal day off to start the week.

But two starters on the offensive line remain out. Center Travis Swanson continues to be sidelined due to a concussion that has already cost him one game. One has to be worried about Swanson’s future in football after a concussion sidelined him for five games last year (four regular season, one playoff). However, Caldwell said on Thursday that he hasn’t had any conversations with the Lions center about this injury being career-threatening.

As for Lang, it’s hard to know where his availability for Sunday stands. In the past two weeks, he missed the first two practices, only to return during the final practice and play on gameday. However, this week may be different seeing as his foot injury caused him to leave the Bears game and not return.

For the Bengals, Vontaze Burfict returned to practice for the first time since suffering a concussion a few weeks ago. Burfict remains in concussion protocol and was just limited in Thursday’s practice.

The Bengals continue to practice without their two starting offensive tackles. Andre Smith was placed on injured reserve earlier in the week due to an ankle injury, and Cedric Ogbuehi remains sidelined with a shoulder issue.

Lions injury report

G T.J. Lang (foot) - No practice
C Travis Swanson (concussion) - No practice
T Rick Wagner (ankle) - Limited practice
DE Dwight Freeney (not injury related) - Full practice
RB Theo Riddick (wrist) - Full practice

Bengals injury report

T Cedric Ogbuehi (shoulder) - No practice
LB Nick Vigil (ankle) - No practice
LB Vontaze Burfict (concussion) - Limited practice
FB Ryan Hewitt (knee) - Limited practice
CB Darqueze Dennard (knee) - Limited practice
S George Iloka (shoulder) - Limited practice
CB Dre Kirkpatrick (concussion) - Limited practice
LB Vincent Rey (mouth) - Limited practice
S Shawn Williams (hamstring) - Limited practice
HB Brian Hill (ankle) - Full practice
HB Joe Mixon (concussion) - Full practice