The Detroit Lions’ Week 15 injury picture brought a mix of relief and concern on Thursday, as starting linebacker Alex Anzalone returned to practice while safety Kerby Joseph remained sidelined. With the Los Angeles Rams coming into town and the stakes rising by the week, Detroit’s defensive depth is once again in the spotlight.
Anzalone’s return is huge for a Lions defense that has struggled without his communication, instincts, and calming presence in the middle of the field. Detroit’s linebackers have been stretched thin over the past several games, especially with the secondary dealing with major injuries. Getting their defensive captain back gives the unit stability heading into a matchup with Matthew Stafford and a red-hot Rams offense.
But the excitement was balanced by the continued absence of Kerby Joseph, who is still dealing with a lingering issue that kept him off the field Thursday. With Brian Branch recovering from Achilles surgery and C.J. Gardner-Johnson still rotating in slowly, Joseph’s availability for Sunday remains one of Detroit’s biggest question marks.
If Joseph can’t go, Detroit will need another strong performance from its depth players — a group that has battled inconsistencies but showed flashes of improvement last week. Meanwhile, the Rams enter the game relatively healthier, continuing to lean on Stafford, Kyren Williams, and rookie standout Puka Nacua to fuel their late-season surge.
As one key leader returns and another remains uncertain, the Lions’ defensive outlook for the weekend is clear: they’ll need every available playmaker to keep pace in a game with serious conference implications.
Mixed Signals for Detroit: Anzalone Back, Joseph Absent Before Week 15 Showdown
