By Moses Joshua 
Detroit battles through a growing injury list as key offensive linemen and defensive starters sit out midweek practice.
The Detroit Lions’ Week 10 preparations began on a worrying note as six players — including several key starters — were absent from Wednesday’s practice in Allen Park. With two cornerstone offensive linemen and an All-Pro safety among those sidelined, head coach Dan Campbell and his staff face mounting injury concerns at a critical stretch of the season.
Offensive Line Depth Tested
The biggest blows came up front. Left tackle Taylor Decker was not seen on the practice field, while right tackle Penei Sewell worked off to the side but did not participate in team drills. Decker, already dealing with a shoulder issue, reportedly suffered a knee injury in last week’s loss to the Minnesota Vikings. Sewell also appeared to tweak something during the game but managed to stay in for all offensive snaps.
Campbell addressed their status earlier in the week, saying, “I think it’s more about are they going to be able to practice this week and are they going to be able to play this week?”
The injury woes didn’t stop there. Veteran tackle Dan Skipper joined the list of absentees, while rookie Christian Mahogany remains sidelined with a broken bone that’s expected to keep him out until late December. With multiple linemen unavailable, Detroit’s offensive depth is being stretched thinner than at any point this season.
Defensive Troubles Continue
The Lions’ defense was also hit hard by absences. Defensive lineman Pat O’Connor and All-Pro safety Kerby Joseph were not seen during the media portion of practice. Joseph has missed the past two games due to a nagging knee injury that hasn’t responded as well as the team hoped.
Campbell provided a candid update on 97.1 The Ticket, saying, “The irritation is not going away as fast as we had hoped. There is improvement. But it’s just not quite there yet. We’re not going to force this thing until we get it as calmed down as we possibly can.”
In Joseph’s absence, Thomas Harper has started at deep safety, while Brian Branch returned to the lineup last week after serving a one-game suspension before the bye.
Some Positive Developments
Amid the setbacks, there were a few encouraging signs. The Lions opened the 21-day activation windows for defensive lineman Josh Paschal (back) and rookie offensive lineman Miles Frazier (knee), allowing them to return to practice. Additionally, running back Craig Reynolds (hamstring) was back in action after missing Detroit’s previous game.
Still, with six players missing and several others limited, the Lions will need to rely heavily on depth and adaptability heading into Sunday’s clash. As Detroit looks to stay competitive in a tightly contested NFC North race, getting healthy — particularly along the offensive line — could determine whether their midseason momentum continues or stalls.