Detroit Lions coach Dan Campbell delivered a cautious injury update Wednesday, indicating cornerback D.J. Reed and center Cade Mays face long odds to play Sunday against the New England Patriots in Germany.
Reed is dealing with a hip injury and Mays an ankle issue. Both sat out the Week 9 victory over the Miami Dolphins. Campbell said neither is expected to practice Wednesday.
“I don’t see Cade and Reed practicing today,” Campbell said. “They’ve probably got a way outside shot of plan, way, way, way outside shot. They could.”
The Lions will still take both players on the trip overseas. Their availability for the game remains uncertain and will depend on how their bodies respond in the coming days.
“I honestly, for both of them, it’s really more about, do we feel like they could play or not play, more than the travel for them,” Campbell said.
Campbell offered a more positive outlook on edge rusher D.J. Wonnum, who is working through concussion protocol after leaving the Week 8 game against the Minnesota Vikings.
“Wonnum, he’s cleared his first obstacle,” Campbell said on Wonnum passing concussion protocol. “Second obstacle here. So he’s going to be able to practice today; as long as he gets through practice, he should be good to go.”
Reed has emerged as Detroit’s top cornerback after an uneven start to the season. Pro Football Focus ranked him the league’s highest-graded corner from Weeks 5-8 with a 90.7 overall grade and a 91.0 coverage grade. In the Vikings game, he allowed just one catch for 11 yards on five targets before exiting.
Without Reed, the Lions would lean on a rotation of Rock Ya-Sin, Khalil Dorsey and Ennis Rakestraw on the outside. Roger McCreary would handle the slot in nickel packages and shift outside in base sets. The group provides depth, but none has matched Reed’s recent production.
Detroit passed on adding a cornerback at the trade deadline and instead acquired a safety. If Kerby Joseph returns from the physically unable to perform list, the team could move Brian Branch into the slot more often and free McCreary for outside duty.
Mays signed a three-year, $25 million contract in free agency with $14 million guaranteed to stabilize the center position. A fractured wrist in training camp cost him the first five games. He returned in Week 7 against the Green Bay Packers, then injured his ankle the following week and has not played since.
Juice Scruggs has filled in effectively at center. He carries a 75.3 overall PFF grade this season, ranking second among qualified centers, with an 80.0 run-blocking grade that also ranks second at the position. Scruggs has started the majority of Detroit’s games and has been the more consistent option.
Mays has logged limited snaps overall after the wrist injury and the recent ankle setback. His absence has not created an immediate crisis on the line, but it raises longer-term questions about the investment at the position heading into the offseason.
The Lions face the Patriots on Sunday in Munich. Detroit has already navigated several injuries on both sides of the ball this season and will continue evaluating practice participation through the week.
