The Detroit Lions’ final injury report of the week is out, and it looks like some key players could be game-time decisions on Sunday against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Most notably, quarterback Matthew Stafford appeared on the report for the first time this week with a hip injury. The severity is unknown, but he is listed as questionable
Shutdown cornerback Darius Slay is questionable with a hamstring injury sustained in Week 3 against the Eagles. Slay did not participate in most individual drills throughout the week—including Friday—but he was listed as “limited” all week. If he can’t go, the Lions will likely rely upon Mike Ford to take over against a tough Chiefs defense.
Additionally, Danny Amendola is questionable with a chest injury. Amendola practiced for the first time this week on Friday, but was listed as “limited” in his participation. On Friday, the Lions promoted slot receiver Tom Kennedy from the practice squad to the active roster, suggesting Amendola’s status may be in doubt.
Defensive tackle Mike Daniels has already been ruled out with a foot sprain. Daniels didn’t practice all week, so this doesn’t come as much of a surprise. How the Lions will respond without Daniels remains to be seen. It’s possible that Da’Shawn Hand returns from his elbow injury this week, but he is also listed as questionable and wasn’t doing much in practice this week. If Hand can’t go, the Lions may be forced to promote either John Atkins or Ray Smith from the practice squad.
For the Chiefs, they will be without a few starting pieces, including left tackle Eric Fisher.
Here’s the Lions’ full Week 4 injury report:
Lions injury report:
DT Mike Daniels (foot) - OUT
WR Danny Amendola (chest) - Questionable
DT Da’Shawn Hand (elbow) - Questionable
CB Darius Slay (hamstring) - Questionable
QB Matthew Stafford (hip) - Questionable
Chiefs injury report
OT Eric Fisher (groin) - OUT
WR Tyreek Hill (shoulder) - OUT
RB Damien Williams (knee) - OUT
UPDATE: Here are a couple of reports from around the Lions media regarding Stafford’s sudden injury appearance:
People I've talked to say they'd be shocked if Matthew Stafford didn't start on Sunday. He tweaked the hip but it's not expected to impact his availability against KC.
— kyle meinke (@kmeinke) September 27, 2019
This is the first I’d heard of it. Stafford was in the locker room after practice, didn’t notice a limp or anything. And I talked to David Blough, who said he and Jeff Driskel had been working on giving the defense looks at KC’s offense. If there’s panic at QB, they hid it well. https://t.co/UCm2Mf19lg
— Chris Burke (@ChrisBurkeNFL) September 27, 2019