Lions Injury Tracker: The Annual Summer Pain Parade Is Here
Training camp is in full swing at the Meijer Performance Center, which means it’s officially time for the thing every Lions fan dreads: the injury list. It’s already getting long. It’s already getting complicated. And yes, some of the names on it hurt more than others.
Here’s where things stand right now with every notable injury out of Allen Park.
Brian Branch (Achilles)
Branch has been on the field this week in his jersey, running and cutting with trainers off to the side. Dan Campbell mentioned the possibility of Branch practicing in late August or early September. That’s the best case timeline. Not ideal, but not a disaster either.
This is the kind of injury that makes you hold your breath. Branch is a key piece of the secondary and you need him healthy. Period.
Kerby Joseph (Knee)
Joseph’s path is nearly identical to Branch’s at this point. He’s been off to the side with trainers, running and doing workouts. Campbell said his timeline mirrors Branch’s, which means late August or early September is the target.
Losing both starting safeties for any stretch of camp is not great. But at least they’re progressing.
Sione Vaki (Nose)
Vaki took a bad poke to the eye and broke his nose on Monday. A freak accident. Campbell said there’s no major damage to his vision, but Vaki will be out for a bit to let his nose heal up.
This is the kind of bizarre camp injury that just happens. Unfortunate, but not the end of the world for a depth running back.
Malcolm Rodriguez (Ankle)
Rodriguez left Tuesday’s practice early but walked back out afterward with his ankle taped up to be with his family. That’s the latest we’ve got. No word yet on severity or timeline.
Rodriguez is a special teams ace. Hopefully this is nothing serious.
Jimmy Rolder (Hamstring)
Campbell said Rolder will be out for a while, but reports indicate this is not expected to be a long-term injury. He could be back in early September or possibly earlier.
Rolder is a linebacker. Missing camp reps is never ideal, but at least it’s not a multi-month absence.
Derrick Moore (Groin)
On Monday, Campbell said Moore should be back within the next seven to ten days. He called it a minor strain.
Moore is an edge rusher. Losing development time stings, but this doesn’t sound serious.
Anthony Firkser (Leg)
Firkser suffered a broken fibula on Monday and his season is over. The Lions have already brought back Zach Horton to take his place.
Brutal. You hate to see it for any player, but especially one fighting for a roster spot at a crowded position.
Miles Kitselman (Leg)
Campbell said on Monday that Kitselman is going to be out for a while. No specifics beyond that.
Another tight end down. Depth is being tested early.
Tyler Conklin (Calf)
Conklin has been working off to the side with trainers, trying to come off the PUP list. The initial estimate for his return was two weeks.
Conklin is a veteran tight end addition. The calf issue needs to heal up, but the Lions need him healthy and ready by Week 1.
Payton Turner (Back)
Campbell called it a minor injury. Said it was a stiff back and not considered serious.
Turner is an edge depth piece. This doesn’t sound like something to worry about.
Giovanni Manu (Undisclosed)
We still don’t have any information on this injury.
Manu is an offensive tackle. The lack of updates is either a good sign or the Lions are keeping things quiet. Your guess is as good as ours.
Ben Bartch (Undisclosed)
We also have not been told what his injury is, but he’s been in uniform, working off to the side with trainers.
Bartch is offensive line depth. If he’s in uniform and moving around, it’s probably not a major concern.
The Big Picture
This is the part of the offseason where you start remembering that football is a violent sport played by human beings with ligaments and tendons that can give out at any moment. It’s not fun. It’s never fun.
The Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph situations are the ones to watch most closely. Both are critical starters. Both are young cornerstones of the defense. Both need to be ready for Week 1.
Everything else on this list is either depth, short-term, or already being managed. That doesn’t make it pleasant, but it also doesn’t scream crisis mode.
Welcome to training camp. This is what we signed up for.
Are we panicking yet or is this just the normal summer chaos every team deals with? Drop your take below.
