Offensive Line Still Limping But Improving On The Injury Report.
With the Detroit Lions now in “win or go home” mode, the injuries the team has to deal with are very important this time of the year. The good news is that the injury report isn’t too bad. With a new name appearing on it and improvement from another player, Detroit could see some players set up for a possible return in week 17.
T.J. Lang And Travis Swanson Still Missing Practice
Starting right guard T.J. Lang was limited in practice last week only to leave the game early against the Bears with his foot injury. If Lang does what he did last week, he should be limited in practice on Friday and good to go on Sunday but the Friday injury report will be the telling tale.
Starting center Travis Swanson is still dealing with a concussion and hasn’t practiced this week. Depending on how he feels next week he could return week 17 but if Detroit makes the playoffs, that is when I would expect him to return.
Rick Wagner Is Improving In Practice, Upgraded To Limited Participation, Theo Riddick Should Be Cleared As Well
Starting right tackle Rick Wagner didn’t practice the last two weeks as he has been dealing with an ankle injury and has seen some improvement as he has been involved in the practices this week in limited fashion. Odds are Wagner will miss this game but a return during week 17 is a possibility.
Running back Theo Riddick had a flare up for his wrists before the Chicago game but has practiced fully so far this week. Unless a flare-up knocks him out, he should be good to go.
Cincinnati Bengals Injury Report
Unlike the Lions, the Cincinnati Bengals are dealing with many injuries as 10 players either missed or were limited in practice this week. Three players missed practice, offensive tackles Cedric Ogbuehi (shoulder), Andre Smith (knee), and linebacker Nick Vigil (ankle).
The remaining seven players were limited in practice: linebackers Vontaze Burfict (concussion), Vincent Ray (mouth), cornerbacks Darqueze Dennard (knee) and Dre Kirkpatrick (concussion), safeties George Iloka (shoulder) and Shawn Williams (hamstring), and halfback Ryan Hewitt (knee).
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