Detroit Lions participation report: Hendon Hooker, Alim McNeill return

The Detroit Lions had to scale back Wednesday’s practice from a full-fledged scrimmage to a padless practice due to an increasing amount of injuries. But it wasn’t all bad news for the Lions. There were a handful of players—including quarterback Hendon Hooker and defensive tackle Alim McNeill—who returned to action. In fact, most of the injury news from Wednesday was positive.

Here’s a full look at where Detroit’s injury situation stands. Players who have a change in status from Monday are bolded

Did not practice

• RB Jahmyr Gibbs (hamstring)
• RB Jermar Jefferson
• EDGE John Cominsky (torn MCL, long term)
• DT David Bada (achilles, out for the year)
• DT DJ Reader (torn quad)
• LB Malcolm Rodriguez
• CB Emmanuel Moseley (torn pec, long term)
• CB Ennis Rakestraw Jr. (ankle)

Gibbs, Jefferson, and Rakestraw are all new additions to this section. Though we didn’t get any individual updates from coach Dan Campbell during his appearance on local radio, he referred to the Gibbs, Rakestraw, and Terrion Arnold when saying, “I think we’re going to be fine here. I think we’re going to be good.”

UPDATE: Per Jordan Schultz, Gibbs is expected to be ready by Week 1.

At this point, it’s unclear why Jefferson missed practice.

Working with trainer

• TE Sam LaPorta (hamstring)
• G Kevin Zeitler (shoulder)
• EDGE James Houston (knee)
• CB Terrion Arnold (pec)
• CB Carlton Davis (hamstring)
• DB Brian Branch

Obviously, it’s promising news that Arnold and Davis—the team’s projected two starting cornerbacks—were out there suited up working with a trainer for over an hour. Campbell noted that Davis is not expected to miss much time.

“Carlton is good, he’s just got this hammy he’s dealing with, but he’ll be fine. It’s all good,” Campbell said.

Branch has been in and out of the lineup most of camp. During Monday’s practice, he did spend some time with the trainer before heading back into the practice.

Returned to practice

• QB Hendon Hooker
• DT Alim McNeill
• EDGE Josh Paschal
• LB Malik Jefferson
• S C.J. Moore

The Lions got a slew of players back at practice on Wednesday, but most notable were Hooker and McNeill. At this point, it looks like Hooker is on track to play in Saturday’s game against the Chiefs. He told reporters after practice that he feels “really good,” and Campbell said there’s a “good chance” he plays. With Hooker returning, newly added Jake Fromm did not take any team drill snaps.

It’s unclear why McNeill missed the past couple of practices, but he was not limited in his action on Wednesday.

Paschal spent some time early with trainers, but after individual drills, he was back in action with the second-team defense.

As Campbell noted earlier in the week Jefferson was trending in the right direction and he managed to find his way onto the field Wednesday.

Finally, Moore was back in on team drills. In fact, with no Branch, Moore split some of his time with the first-team defense with Ifeatu Melifonwu, Brandon Joseph, and Kerby Joseph all rotating time.