Detroit Lions guard Logan Stenberg avoids major injury, should practice this week

Detroit Lions guard Logan Stenberg appears to have avoided a serious injury that could have put his roster spot at risk. On Friday night during the Lions’ preseason finale against the Indianapolis Colts, Stenberg appeared to get his leg rolled over, and he was forced to limp off the field. After a short diagnosis from the medical team, he went into the locker room and his day was done.

But head coach Dan Campbell noted on Monday morning that Stenberg’s injury was so minor that he likely could have gone back into the game. Instead, Detroit opted to play it safe with him.

“He had a mild MCL. Just a lower grade sprain,” Campbell said. “So, he could have finished. If we wanted to just keep him out there, we could have done that, but we chose to pull him back out. He’s kind of day-to-day right now, but he should be fine.”

And if there was any doubt about Stenberg’s roster status, Campbell let it slip that the second-year offensive lineman out of Kentucky should return to practice later this week, which almost certainly means he’ll stay on the roster past Tuesday’s 53-man deadline.

Campbell has praised Stenberg’s growth throughout training camp. As a fourth-round pick last year, Stenberg did not see the field in his rookie season aside from a handful of special teams snaps. As a run blocking mauler in college, Stenberg has developed into a more well-rounded lineman, according to Campbell.

“I would say this about Logan, he has improved every day,” Campbell said. “He’s gotten a lot (better), particularly over the last two-and-a-half weeks. He’s really, I think, beginning to really come on. He’s a young player that’s growing and developing. We like where he’s going.”

The Lions’ offensive line room is starting to take shape. With cuts to Evan Heim, Tyrell Crosby, and Dan Skipper already, Detroit only has 10 offensive linemen remaining on the roster as of Monday afternoon:

• Taylor Decker
• Jonah Jackson
• Frank Ragnow
• Halapoulivaati Vaitai
• Penei Sewell
• Matt Nelson
• Logan Stenberg
• Tommy Kraemer
• Evan Brown
• Darrin Paulo

It’s worth noting, however, that Campbell said the offensive line is a position that may see some additions as the Lions scour the waiver wire over the next 48 hours.

“We’re looking to help our depth a little bit, and we may or may not have it here if I’m being honest with you,” Campbell said. “I think what needs to be remembered here is that just between today and then tomorrow, some of these moves we make, does not mean that these are the guys that this is who we’re riding with all the way through the season.”