The Detroit Lions and Washington Commanders released their final injury reports of the week on Thursday and a total of three players have been ruled out and another three are questionable for the divisional round matchup on Saturday.
The Lions will be without one of their starting offensive linemen, as guard Kevin Zeitler has been ruled out with a hamstring injury. Zeitler got hurt in Week 18 and wasn’t able to practice at all this week, even after the first-round bye.
With Zeitler ruled out, the Lions are starting 2024 sixth-round pick Christian Mahogany in his place. Mahogany started for Detroit in Week 16 in place of an injured Graham Glasgow and gave up one pressure and no sacks.
The only other player ruled out for the Lions is backup defensive lineman Pat O’Connor, who is dealing with a calf injury. Detroit’s lone questionable player is rookie cornerback Ennis Rakestraw Jr., who saw an upgrade in participation to a limited practice on Thursday.
Rakestraw has been on injured reserve since Week 12 and must be activated before he can play. He was designated to return during Detroit’s bye.
Now, for the good news: Detroit will officially be getting back running back David Montgomery, who practiced in full throughout the week and is ready to play after rehabbing his knee injury the last four weeks.
“It’s refreshing,” Montgomery said of his return, via ESPN’s Eric Woodyard. “Kind of to be back in the position to where I can help the team, yeah, I missed it, so happy to be back.”
Also good to go is rookie cornerback Terrion Arnold, who suffered a foot injury in the season finale, which forced his early exit.
The Commanders will be without linebacker Jordan Magee, who was ruled out with a hamstring injury. Washington has two players listed as questionable in linebacker Mykal Walker and tight end Colston Yankoff.
Now, the full list of injury designations for both the Lions and Commanders ahead of their playoff contest.
Lions injury designations
OG Kevin Zeitler (hamstring): Out
DL Pat O’Connor (calf): Out
CB Ennis Rakestraw Jr. (hamstring, illness): Questionable
Full Lions divisional round injury report
Commanders injury designations
LB Jordan Magee (hamstring): Out
LB Mykal Walker (illness): Questionable
TE Colston Yankoff (hamstring): Questionable
Full Commanders divisional round injury report
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