The Detroit Lions and San Francisco 49ers have held their last formal practice before the NFC Championship, and that means we now know what injuries they have for the upcoming game.
Excluded
- Full-back Kalif Raymond (knee)
- LG Jonah Jackson (knee)
As expected, the Lions will be without Raymond and Jackson for this contest.
Raymond missed all three playoff games and will most likely be replaced by Donovan Peoples-Jones again, both on offense and as a punt returner.
Jackson underwent knee surgery following the Lions' win over the Buccaneers, and although he will sit out that game, he could return for the Super Bowl. Kayode Awosika replaced Jackson in the last game and is expected to retain the starting left guard position this Sunday against the 49ers.
Questionable
- Hendon Hooker (tooth)
- NB Chase Lucas (illness)
Hooker missed practice Friday and is listed as questionable because of a tooth that required extraction. That's not particularly concerning since he hasn't played for a game this season, but if he were unavailable the Lions would lose their emergency quarterback.
Lucas caught a virus on Thursday and missed training but was able to return on Friday, suggesting there is a good chance he should be ready to play.
Not listed with injury name
- TE Sam LaPorta (knee)
- WR Josh Reynolds (ribs)
- C Frank Ragnow (ankle/toes/back/knee)
- EDGE James Houston (ankle)
- LB Alex Anzalone (shoulder/ribs)
LaPorta has played through his knee injury in each of the last two games, and the Lions have given him some lighter workouts to make sure he's as good as he can be. Expect him to be his normal, effective self.
Reynolds also got some light work this week. After suffering a rib injury, he was able to return to play last week and is expected to be ready to play against the 49ers.
Ragnow missed two practices this week, but it appears that was primarily for recovery reasons. He's ready to go.
“He's good. Frank's doing good,” coach Dan Campbell said at his press conference Friday. “Frank will be ready to go. I mean, you're not going to stop him and he's getting better every day. He will be ready.”
Houston has been practicing for over four weeks now, but has yet to see the field on game days. He's “very close” to a return, according to defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn, but it may be a difficult task getting into such a significant game after not playing since September. We'll probably find out if he'll play next Sunday when the inactives are released.
Anzalone has been dealing with broken ribs in recent weeks and has also been on light work this week. He is expected to be ready to play on Sunday.
49ers injury designations
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