As the Detroit Lions prepare for a Monday night game against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 17, head coach Dan Campbell met with the media Thursday and provided some injury updates on linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin and wide receiver Kalif Raymond.
Raymond has been on injured reserve since suffering a foot injury back in Week 12 but was always expected to return by the playoffs. Reeves-Maybin, who is coming back from a neck injury, was designated to return from injured reserve last week but was not activated.
Campbell revealed on Thursday that Raymond will be designated to return from IR, but he isn’t likely to play this week. Meanwhile, Campbell is hopeful that Reeves-Maybin can suit up on Monday night.
“It’s too early to say (who will return from injury this week),” Campbell said. “We’re going to start Kalif’s clock, I guess you guys saw that. So, he’ll start practicing, and we’ll see where he’s at.
“I don’t feel as confident with (Raymond) as I do (Reeves-Maybin), but it’s be good to have him back out practicing. It will be good to get him back out there running around.”
Not only does Raymond offer yet another depth option for the Lions at wide receiver upon his return, but he’ll also return to his role as a returner, where he’s had success. Raymond was averaging an impressive 14.4 yards per punt return prior to his injury.
Linebacker has been one of the hardest hit by injuries, but reinforcements are coming. On top of Reeves-Maybin’s expected return, the Lions are also “close” to getting Alex Anzalone back from his broken forearm, although it doesn’t look like that is going to happen this week.
“It’s close. I don’t know about this week, (but) it’s close,” Campbell said of Anzalone earlier this week, per Pride of Detroit’s Jeremy Reisman.
The Lions have done a fantastic job overcoming all of their injuries. Getting some key players back for the playoffs will be a massive boost for Detroit’s hopes of winning the Super Bowl.
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