As the NFL playoffs heat up and the Detroit Lions prepare for their divisional round matchup, fans and analysts alike are eagerly awaiting injury updates to see who will be available to help the team make a deep postseason run. The Lions have made tremendous strides this season, emerging as one of the most dangerous teams in the NFC, but injuries have been an ever-present challenge. Fortunately for the Lions, their road to the playoffs has been marked by resilience, and they are poised to get back some key players just when they need them the most.
In this blog post, we’ll take a look at the key players who could return for the divisional round, the impact they’ll have, and how the Lions can use their full roster to make a serious push for the NFC Championship.
### **1. The State of the Lions’ Roster Heading into the Divisional Round**
The Detroit Lions’ roster has undergone plenty of changes throughout the season, especially with injuries sidelining several star players. Despite that, they have continued to find ways to win, showing impressive depth and a strong team mentality under head coach Dan Campbell.
As the Lions enter the divisional round, they’re in an enviable position: with a solid record, a high-powered offense led by quarterback Jared Goff, and an aggressive defense that has shown flashes of brilliance. However, their chances of advancing further into the postseason will hinge on the availability of key players who have been sidelined.
While the Lions have gotten crucial contributions from depth players, having their star athletes back in action would give them a significant boost as they face a tough challenge in the divisional round. Here’s a rundown of the latest injury updates and who fans should expect to see back on the field.
### **2. Amon-Ra St. Brown: The Star Wide Receiver**
Amon-Ra St. Brown has been one of the standout players for the Lions all season, emerging as one of the best young receivers in the NFL. His route-running, physicality, and ability to make clutch catches have been vital to the success of the Lions’ offense. However, St. Brown has been dealing with a lingering ankle injury that caused him to miss a couple of practices in the lead-up to the playoffs.
The good news for Lions fans is that St. Brown has been trending in the right direction. While he didn’t fully participate in every practice, he has been spotted working with the trainers and was expected to be ready for game day. With his ability to stretch the field and create separation, getting St. Brown back to full strength will be a game-changer for the Lions’ offense, especially against a tough divisional-round opponent.
If he plays, expect St. Brown to be a key target for Jared Goff, as he is capable of exploiting mismatches in the secondary and making critical plays on third down.
### **3. DeAndre Swift: The Dynamic Running Back**
DeAndre Swift has been a key part of Detroit’s offensive game plan this season, showcasing his versatility as both a runner and a pass-catcher. However, Swift has been dealing with shoulder and ankle injuries throughout the year, limiting his workload at times. Despite these issues, he’s managed to put together solid performances, including some breakout games where he contributed as a dual-threat weapon in both the running and passing game.
Heading into the divisional round, Swift has been a full participant in practice, and all signs point to him being ready to go for the postseason. His return would provide a much-needed spark to the Lions’ offense, especially with the importance of having a balanced attack against high-caliber defenses in the playoffs.
Swift’s ability to break off big runs, catch passes out of the backfield, and pick up key yards on short-yardage situations could give the Lions a significant edge. With the rushing attack that the Lions have established this season, having Swift at full capacity will allow them to keep their offense unpredictable and difficult to defend against.
### **4. Jeff Okudah: The Cornerback Who Can Lock Down Receivers**
Jeff Okudah has been an essential piece of Detroit’s defense this season, playing as their top cornerback and showing significant improvement after battling injuries early in his career. Okudah’s ability to match up against the league’s best receivers has been vital to Detroit’s defensive success, but he was sidelined with a knee issue late in the regular season.
Fortunately, Okudah has been participating in practices as the Lions prepare for their playoff clash, and the hope is that he will be ready to suit up for the divisional round. His return would provide a much-needed boost to the Lions’ secondary, especially considering the high-powered offenses they may face in the playoffs.
Okudah’s ability to shut down elite receivers will be crucial against teams with potent passing games. If he’s available, expect the Lions to lean on him to match up against opposing No. 1 wideouts, allowing their defense to focus on stopping the run and creating pressure on the quarterback. Okudah’s leadership and physical play on the outside could be a game-changer for the Lions’ defense.
### **5. Frank Ragnow: The Center and Offensive Line Anchor**
The offensive line is the foundation of any successful offense, and Frank Ragnow has been one of the best centers in the NFL. Unfortunately, Ragnow has been dealing with a foot injury that forced him to miss several practices, but there is optimism that he will return to action for the divisional round. Ragnow’s leadership and ability to anchor the offensive line cannot be understated, as he is integral to the Lions’ run-blocking and pass protection schemes.
If Ragnow is healthy enough to play, the Lions’ offensive line will be in much better shape, ensuring that Jared Goff has the time he needs to operate in the pocket, and DeAndre Swift has the holes he needs to find running lanes. Ragnow’s impact on both the passing and running game is undeniable, and having him back for the divisional round would be a massive advantage for Detroit.
### **6. Jameson Williams: The Speedy Rookie Receiver**
Jameson Williams, the Lions’ first-round pick in 2022, has had a roller-coaster start to his NFL career. After recovering from a torn ACL, Williams has flashed incredible potential, particularly with his speed and big-play ability. While he has been slowly integrated into the offense, the Lions are optimistic that Williams could be ready for a larger role in the postseason.
In recent weeks, Williams has been more involved in the passing game, and his speed has been a constant threat to opposing defenses. If he continues to improve and stay healthy, he could provide the deep-threat presence the Lions need to stretch the field and open up opportunities for other receivers, like Amon-Ra St. Brown. While Williams may not be fully recovered to play a full workload, he could still provide explosive plays when called upon.
### **7. What Does This Mean for the Lions in the Divisional Round?**
As the Detroit Lions look to make a deep playoff run, the health of these key players is crucial. A fully-loaded roster, with stars like Amon-Ra St. Brown, DeAndre Swift, Jeff Okudah, and Frank Ragnow back in action, would make the Lions a formidable team. Their offense, led by Jared Goff, is one of the most dynamic in the league, and adding a fully healthy Swift and St. Brown into the mix would give the Lions an offensive edge against any opponent. On defense, the return of Okudah and improved secondary play will be vital in matching up against high-caliber offenses in the playoffs.
The divisional round is where the Lions will face their toughest challenges, but with key players returning to health, they have the potential to compete with the NFC’s elite teams. If Detroit can put together a complete performance, they will not only break their long-standing playoff drought but could also make a serious push for the NFC Championship.
Ultimately, it’s the combination of health, depth, and execution that will decide the Lions’ fate in the postseason. With some key players likely to return for the divisional round, the Detroit Lions are poised to give their best playoff performance in years. Fans should be excited to see just how far this team can go with its full roster intact.