Ford Field will be rocking on Saturday night, Jan. 18, as the No. 1 seed Detroit Lions welcome the No. 6 seed Washington Commanders in the NFC Divisional Round. The Lions are looking for their second straight trip to the NFC Championship Game. It would also be the first time the NFC title game would be held in Detroit.
Washington won on a doinked field goal to defeat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the Wild Card Round. The Commanders are trying to reach the NFC Championship for the first time since the 1991 season when they defeated the Lions to win the NFC and went on to defeat the Buffalo Bills in Super Bowl 26.
Here’s the latest injury news for the Commanders and Lions.
Washington Commanders vs. Detroit Lions Inactives
Washington Commanders Inactives
- CB Michael Davis
- QB Jeff Driskel
- LB Dominique Hampton
- DE Andre Jones
- WR K.J. Osborn
- OG Chris Paul
- RB Chris Rodriguez
Detroit Lions Inactives
- LB Mitchell Agude
- QB Hendon Hooker
- OT Giovanni Manu
- DT Brodric Martin
- DE Patrick O’Connor
- OT Colby Sorsdal
- OG Kevin Zeitler
Latest Injury Report News and Updates
Only three players total are initially ruled out and only four players total are listed as questionable between the two teams for the Divisional Round.
For Washington, linebacker Jordan Magee is out with a hamstring injury that was re-injured last week against the Buccaneers. Meanwhile, two players are questionable for Washington — linebacker Mykal Walker missed practice on Thursday with an illness, and tight end Colson Yankoff (hamstring) is in the middle of his 21-day practice window to return from injured reserve.
TE John Bates (shoulder), WR Jamison Crowder (hamstring), DE Clelin Ferrell (knee), LB Frankie Luvu (shoulder), TE Ben Sinnott (shoulder), and LB Bobby Wagner (ankle) were all limited in practice on Thursday, the final practice day of the week.
Among those who practiced in full on Thursday include OT Brandon Coleman (shoulder), TE Zach Ertz (rib), K Zane Gonzalez (hip), LB Dominique Hampton (back), CB Marshon Lattimore (hamstring), WR KJ Osborn (finger), and DT Daron Payne (finger).
The key player out for the Lions is offensive guard Kevin Zeitler. Zeitler was one of the better free-agent pickups in the league. In his place will be rookie Christian Mahogany.
Defensive tackle Pat O’Connor (calf) is also out for the Lions. O’Connor has been adding depth for the Lions up front. Meanwhile, rookie cornerback Ennis Rakestraw Jr. (hamstring/illness) is questionable but did return to practice on Thursday. He is in the middle of his 21-day practice window while still on injured reserve.
Among those playing, running back David Montgomery made good on his attempt to return in the Divisional Round. He was a full participant in practice this week after injuring his MCL five weeks ago. Sonic and Knuckles are back together on Saturday.
The bye week was also a huge help for cornerback Terrion Arnold (foot). After the injury initially looked bad, Arnold will play on Saturday against Washington.
So while Detroit will be without one of its starting guards, two key players will be coming back from injury just when they need them the most.
Washington Commanders’ Projected Starting Lineup
Here is the projected starting lineup for the Commanders based on their current depth chart.
- Quarterback: Jayden Daniels
- Running back: Brian Robinson Jr.
- Wide receiver: Terry McLaurin, Olamide Zaccheaus, Dyami Brown
- Tight end: Zach Ertz
- Left tackle: Brandon Coleman
- Left guard: Nick Allegretti
- Center: Tyler Biadasz
- Right guard: Sam Cosmi
- Right tackle: Andrew Lucas
- Defensive ends: Dorance Armstrong, Dante Fowler
- Defensive tackles: Jonathan Allen, Daron Payne
- Middle linebacker: Bobby Wagner
- Weakside linebacker: Frankie Luvu
- Cornerbacks: Mike Sainristil, Marshon Lattimore
- Safeties: Jeremy Chinn, Quan Martin
- Kicker: Zane Gonzalez
- Punter: Tress Way
- Long snapper: Tyler Ott
- Kick returner: Luke McCaffrey
- Punt returner: Jamison Crowder
Detroit Lions’ Projected Starting Lineup
Here is the projected starting lineup for the Lions based on their current depth chart.
- Quarterback: Jared Goff
- Running back: Jahmyr Gibbs
- Wide receiver: Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, Tim Patrick
- Tight end: Sam LaPorta
- Left tackle: Taylor Decker
- Left guard: Christian Mahogany
- Center: Frank Ragnow
- Right guard: Kevin Zeitler
- Right tackle: Penei Sewell
- Defensive ends: Josh Paschal, Za’Darius Smith
- Nose tackle: DJ Reader
- Defensive tackle: Levi Onwuzurike
- Middle linebacker: Jack Campbell
- Weakside linebacker: Alex Anzalone
- Cornerbacks: Terrion Arnold, Amik Robertson
- Safeties: Brian Branch, Kerby Joseph
- Kicker: Jake Bates
- Punter: Jack Fox
- Long snapper: Hogan Hatten
- Kick returner: Sione Vaki
- Punt returner: Kalif Raymond