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The Detroit Lions have announced their Week 16 inactives ahead of their game against the Minnesota Vikings.
The Detroit Lions have declared their inactives ahead of the Week 16 matchup with the Minnesota Vikings, and once again, they are very healthy for this game.
The Lions entered the week with a full 53-man roster, and have elevated kicker Michael Badgley and tight end Anthony Firkser, bringing Detroit’s game-day roster total up to 55 players.
Because the Lions have eight offensive linemen active for Sunday’s game, they are eligible to expand their game-day roster from 47 to 48 players. Therefore, with 54 players on the game-day roster and 48 eligible to play, the Lions need to declare seven players inactive for today’s matchup.
Lions inactives:
- QB Hendon Hooker — designated as the team’s emergency quarterback
- TE Brock Wright (hip) — Ruled OUT
- LB Derrick Barnes (shoulder) — Originally ruled doubtful
- CB Jerry Jacobs (hamstring) — Ruled OUT
- WR Antoine Green
- DT Brodric Martin
- CB Steven Gilmore
Hooker was added to the Lions active roster this week, but with Jared Goff and Teddy Bridgewater healthy and active, the rookie sits in favor of the Lions loading up at other positions. Hooker will be the “emergency quarterback”—a new rule implemented by the NFL this offseason at the request of the Lions—meaning if Goff AND Bridgewater go down due to injury, the Lions could promote Hooker to the active roster during this game.
With Wright unable to go, the Lions will likely increase the workloads of Sam LaPorta and James Mitchell—who steps into the TE2 role this week—, while the recently elevated Firkser will see his first regular-season action as a Lion.
Barnes was injured last game, but despite returning to play, he was limited all week in practice and listed as doubtful to play on Friday. With him now being ruled out, the Lions will turn to rookie Jack Campbell for a larger role—previously he and Barnes were splitting the Lions’ MIKE linebacker role—and could also see a bit more contributions from Jalen Reeves-Maybin and Malcolm Rodriguez.
Jacobs being ruled out opened the door for Chase Lucas to return to the field after being healthy scratches the past few weeks, but they will likely only serve as special teams and deep reserve options in this game.
Once again, a healthy roster squeezes out several rookies, including Green, Martin, and Gilmore.
Vikings inactives:
- QB Joshua Dobbs
- WR Jalen Nailor (concussion) — Ruled OUT
- TE Nick Muse
- RT Brian O’Neill (ankle)
- G Chris Reed
- CB Byron Murphy Jr. (hamstring) — Ruled OUT
- S Lewis Cine
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