Lions Top 10 injury news of 2024 - Recap & Honorable mentions

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With so many key defensive injuries last season, some stories were going to miss the cut. Here, I present the "honorable" mentions.

But first, the Top 10 recap....

No. 10: Alex Anzalone's forearm

No. 9: Ifeatu Melifonwu's turbulent year

No. 8: Christian Mahogany's delayed debut

No. 7: James Houston's ill-fated comeback

No. 6: David Montgomery's mysterious knee

No. 5: Carlton Davis jaw fracture

No. 4: The fortuitous offense

No. 3: Alim McNeill's knee

No. 2: Calamitous number of defensive injuries

No. 1: Aidan Hutchinson

HONORABLE MENTIONS​

Marcus Davenport elbow - September 22, 2024​


Going into the season, there were hopes that Davenport would be able to solidify the EDGE position opposite Aidan Hutchinson. Those hopes were dashed in Week 3.


Marcus Davenport L elbow injury video
-Forearm chopped down while elbow in flexion. Possible elbow flexor tear (biceps or brachialis).
-Returned with brace but after game placed on IR. Reportedly it's a season-ender pic.twitter.com/JGWIyTLzHN

— Jimmy Liao MD | Detroit Lions Morning Rounds (@JimmyLiaoMD) September 25, 2024

Reports are that the injury was a triceps rupture. Davenport ended up having surgery and missed the rest of the year.

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As an unrestricted free agent, he re-signed with the Lions to a 1-year deal with $1.65 million guaranteed plus over $3 million in incentives. The low guarantee implies that NFL teams had concerns about his availability.

So far this offseason, he seems to be doing well. He has been wearing an elbow wrap, but was a full participant in June OTA.

Derrick Barnes MCL/PCL - September 22, 2024​


Barnes was a versatile, starting LB for the Lions until his season ended in Week 3.


Derrick Barnes R knee injury video
-Direct impact to knee, fortunately foot not planted
-Looks like lateral side hit which could cause MCL sprain.
-Placed on IR. If non-severe MCL, could be back in 4-6wks. pic.twitter.com/WKYGHwaKbM

— Jimmy Liao MD | Detroit Lions Morning Rounds (@JimmyLiaoMD) September 25, 2024

Barnes had surgery for this injury and missed the rest of the year. During the offseason, the Lions signed him to a substantial 3-year deal worth up to $25.5 million with $16 million guaranteed. The contract suggests that the Lions are confident in his recovery.

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This offseason, Barnes still had significant right leg muscle atrophy and was a limited participant in OTA. However, he is expected to be ready for the season.

Malcolm Rodriguez ACL - November 28, 2024​


With Barnes and Alex Anzalone (forearm fracture) both out, Rodriguez was doing a good job stabilizing the LB position until his injury in Week 13.


Malcolm Rodriguez R ACL injury video
-Knee buckles inward
-Hope no asso meniscus tear
-Expect ~11mo recovery
-1yr left on rookie deal pic.twitter.com/sw74L8B2zl

— Jimmy Liao MD | Detroit Lions Morning Rounds (@JimmyLiaoMD) November 29, 2024

Rodriguez was the other ACL injury for the Lions last season along with Alim McNeill. With a typical recovery time of 10-11 months, an October return is anticipated. Recently, Dan Campbell stated that November was the probable return timeline. Thus, a return on November 2 after the bye seems like a logical target.

Rodriguez is heading into the final year of his 4-year rookie contract, which gives him plenty of motivation to show proof of recovery.

Friendly fire injuries​


With so many injuries, there were attempts to try to find a cause. In this earlier Lions Wire article, I complied a list of injuries caused by Lions colliding with each other. This list included Amik Robertson, Alex Anzalone twice, Aidan Hutchinson, Khalil Dorsey, Terrion Arnold, and Carlton Davis.

The conclusion was that avoidable friendly fire was not a significant factor in the number of injuries sustained last season.

Jake Bates - December 30, 2024​



Jake Bates and the turf both need a cigarette after this pic.twitter.com/9mYw9BEfxs

— Jimmy Liao MD | Detroit Lions Morning Rounds (@JimmyLiaoMD) December 31, 2024

Let's not neglect the specialists. Here we see Bates and the 49ers turf working "something" out during the game. Was this pain? Or was this pleasure? Probably a bit of both.

Uncharacteristically, Bates missed two extra points that day which raised some concern. Fortunately, he bounced back the next game with a perfect 5 for 5 day. While the mystery of Bates' dalliance with the turf may never be solved, at least there was a happy ending.

This article originally appeared on Lions Wire: Lions Top 10 injury news of 2024 - Recap & Honorable mentions

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