Patrick O'Connor: Back with Detroit on practice squad
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The Lions signed O'Connor (knee) to the practice squad Monday.
O'Conner appears to have fully recovered from a knee injury that caused him to be placed on injured reserve Nov. 14. The veteran defensive lineman and the Lions reached an injury settlement one day later, and he appears to have recovered enough to return to Detroit as a member of the team's practice squad.
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Lions' Derrick Barnes: Forces key turnover in win
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Barnes recorded two tackles (two solo), including one tackle for a loss, and a pass defensed in Thursday's 44-30 win over the Cowboys.
Barnes had a very modest tackle total, leaving him with three or fewer tackles in four of his last five games. However, he still made a big impact on the game, picking off a deflected Dak Prescott pass on the first play of the third quarter to set up a Detroit touchdown two plays later. That was the first interception of Barnes' career.
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Lions' Alex Anzalone: Big factor in coverage
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Anzalone recorded seven tackles (four solo) and three passes defensed in Thursday's 44-30 win over the Cowboys.
Anzalone had a strong all-around performance in Thursday's win, logging at least seven stops for the second consecutive contest. He also had a good day in coverage, breaking up three total passes, two of which were intended for Dallas tight ends. Anzalone is having a very strong season in coverage, as his seven passes defensed matches the career high he set in 2021.
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Lions' D.J. Reed: Picks off Prescott late
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Reed posted eight solo tackles and two pass defenses (including an interception) during the Lions' 44-30 win over the Cowboys on Thursday.
Reed led the Lions with eight solo takedowns and tied with Avonte Maddox for the second-most combined tackles on the team behind Jack Campbell (12). Reed also logged his second interception of the season late in the fourth quarter after he beat out Ryan Flournoy on a Dak Prescott pass. Across seven regular-season games, Reed has logged 28 tackles (26 solo), six pass defenses, once forced fumble and one fumble recovery.
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Lions' Al-Quadin Muhammad: Harasses Prescott in win
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Muhammad recorded three tackles (three solo), including 3.0 sacks, in Thursday's 44-30 win over the Cowboys.
Muhammad was on the field for 38 snaps, his highest mark since Week 7. He took full advantage of the opportunity, taking down Dak Prescott three times for a total loss of 24 yards. Muhammad has a career-high 9.0 sacks on the season, including two games with 2.0 sacks or more.
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Lions' Aidan Hutchinson: Quiet in win
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Hutchinson recorded three tackles (two solo) in Thursday's 44-30 win over the Cowboys.
Hutchinson was unable to make much of an impact in a pivotal win for Lions, logging his lowest tackle total since Week 11. He's now gone two consecutive games without a sack, the first time that has occurred this season.
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Lions' Jack Campbell: Another big game
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Campbell recorded 12 tackles (six solo), including 1.0 sacks, in Thursday's 44-30 win over the Cowboys.
Campbell was on the field for 100 percent of defensive snaps and continued to deliver on his standout campaign. He logged his fifth sack of the season in the first quarter, nearly taking down Dak Prescott in the end zone for a safety. Campbell also has double-digit tackles in three of his last four games.
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Lions' Brian Branch: Tests reveal torn Achilles
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Branch tore his Achilles in Thursday's Week 14 win over the Cowboys, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports.
Reports surfaced earlier Friday that there were fears Branch's injury was to his Achilles, and testing has now confirmed that diagnosis. Return to game action from an Achilles tear typically takes an NFL player at least nine months, and often longer, so Branch will be out for the remainder of this season and could be sidelined into the beginning of the 2026 campaign as well. This is a brutal blow to Detroit's secondary, though it could be softened a bit if Kerby Joseph, who has missed the team's past seven games due to a knee injury, is able to return in Week 15. Thomas Harper (concussion) figures to continue to start with Branch now sidelined (if the former is able to clear concussion protocol), and Daniel Thomas could pick up a significant amount of work as well, especially if Joseph remains out.
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Lions' Brian Branch: Likely dealing with Achilles injury
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Branch, who exited the game and was later carted to the locker room in the second half of Thursday's win over Dallas, is feared to have injured his Achilles, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.
The Lions haven't yet released an official statement about Branch's injury, so for now his diagnosis and status remain uncertain. With that said, if he did indeed suffer an Achilles injury Thursday, the veteran safety could be looking at an extended absence. That would be a huge blow to a Detroit safety corps that was without Kerby Joseph (knee) on Thursday and that had Thomas Harper exit the victory in the first quarter due to a concussion.
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Lions' Brian Branch: Leaves game Thursday
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Branch (ankle) is questionable to return to Thursday's game against the Cowboys.
The safety injured his ankle in the second half and had to be carted to the locker room. Branch recorded six tackles (three solo) and a fumble recovery before exiting. Detroit is already down Kerby Joseph (knee) and Thomas Harper (concussion) at safety, leaving Daniel Thomas as the only healthy option.
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Lions' Thomas Harper: Done for night
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Harper (concussion) has been ruled out for the rest of Thursday night's matchup with the Cowboys, Greg Auman of Fox Sports reports.
Harper sustained a concussion in the first quarter, and he will now be forced to sit out the remainder of the night. Daniel Thomas will continue to operate in a more significant role at safety in Harper's absence versus Dallas.
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Lions' Thomas Harper: Dealing with head injury
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Harper (head) is being evaluated for a concussion in Thursday's contest against the Cowboys.
Harper took a blow to the head while tackling George Pickens in the first quarter, ultimately heading directly to the locker room afterwards. The safety's status for the rest of the game is now up in the air, and in his absence, Daniel Thomas stands to step into a more prominent role in Detroit's secondary.
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Lions' Brian Branch: Will face Cowboys
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Branch (toe) is active for Thursday's game against the Cowboys.
Branch has been on the injury report with a toe injury ahead of Detroit's last three games, but he's been active on each occasion. He's played at least 95 percent of defensive snaps as well as a handful of snaps on special teams in those contests, so he'll likely be ready to handle his typical role as a key member of the Detroit defense in Thursday's key game against the Cowboys.
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Lions' Kerby Joseph: Won't play versus Cowboys
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Joseph (knee) has been ruled out for Thursday's game versus the Cowboys.
Joseph hasn't played since suffering a knee injury in Week 6 versus the Chiefs, but he was never placed on injured reserve. The 2022 third-round pick was a non-participant during practice Tuesday and Wednesday. According to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com, Joseph is hopeful to play in Week 15 versus the Rams. He'll need to ramp up his practice time next week first, and until he returns, Thomas Harper will remain the team's starting free safety.
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Lions' Kerby Joseph: Intends to return in 2025
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Joseph has been sidelined since Week 6 due to a knee injury, but the fourth-year safety intends to return in 2025 and seek treatment for his injury during the offseason, NFL reporter Jordan Schultz reports.
Joseph has not been placed on the Lions' injured reserve despite the prolonged absence. He returned to practice as a limited participant Monday -- his first action since the injury -- but did not participate in Tuesday's session. Joseph faces an uphill battle to be cleared to play against the Cowboys on Thursday, but with more practices under his belt, he could be available for the Lions' Week 15 road tilt against the Rams on Sunday, Dec. 14.
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Lions' Terrion Arnold: Needs season-ending surgery
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The Lions placed Arnold on injured reserve Monday, and the cornerback is scheduled to undergo season-ending surgery on his right shoulder later this week, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.
Arnold was previously sidelined for Weeks 11 and 12 due to a concussion, but he made his return to action in the Lions' 34-27 loss to the Packers on Thanksgiving Day. He recorded four solo tackles in the contest, but at some point along the way, he suffered an aggravation of the same shoulder injury that kept him out for Weeks 6 and 7. The Lions will send the 22-year-old in for surgery with the hope that it provides a more permanent fix for the recurring shoulder problem. He'll close out the 2025 campaign with 31 tackles, eight pass breakups and one interception over eight games.
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Lions' Kerby Joseph: Back at practice Monday
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Joseph (knee) returned to practice Monday, getting in a limited session, Colton Pouncy of The Athletic reports.
Joseph has been sidelined since Week 6 but appears to be nearing a return to action, as the Lions make a push for the postseason. Thomas Harper has been starting at safety in Joseph's absence. Across six games this season, Joseph has recorded 18 tackles (14 solo) and four pass breakups, including three interceptions.
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Lions' Terrion Arnold: Shares snaps in first game back
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Arnold recorded four solo tackles in Thursday's 31-24 loss the Packers.
The cornerback returned for the first time since Week 10 after working through a concussion and played 17 defensive snaps, while backup Rock Ya-Sin saw nine. D.J. Reed and Amik Robertson led Detroit's cornerback room in snaps for the game, with 54 and 59, respectively. Now that Arnold is back, though, he should continue to play a role, as he has eight pass breakups on the year.
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Lions' Alex Anzalone: Makes nine tackles in defeat
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Anzalone finished with nine tackles (five solo) in Thursday's 31-24 loss to the Packers.
The linebacker also played on all 62 defensive snaps. Anzalone has played on at least 88 percent of the defensive snaps in every game this season, recording 72 tackles (40 solo), including 1.5 sacks, and four pass breakups, including an interception.
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Lions' Jack Campbell: Tallies nine tackles Thursday
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Campbell recorded nine tackles (five solo) in Detroit's loss to the Packers on Thursday.
Campbell finished tied for second on the team in tackles and has now racked up at least eight stops in all 12 of his appearances this season. The 25-year-old will look to build on this strong performance and keep producing during the team's Week 14 matchup against the Cowboys.
