Lions Week 15 injury designations: Trevor Nowaske OUT, 4 starters return to lineup

The Detroit Lions released their Week 15 injury designations and the team has ruled out linebacker Trevor Nowaske but will return four players to starting roles.

The Detroit Lions (12-1) and Buffalo Bills (10-3) have declared their injury designations ahead of their Week 15 showdown. Both teams have gotten significantly healthier this week, are only dealing with a few lingering issues, and each team has only ruled one player out of this game.

Let’s take a look at Friday’s injury report and get you up to date with what we know. Note that any changes from yesterday’s report will be bolded.

Ruled OUT

LB Trevor Nowaske (concussion)

Nowaske was added to the injury report with a concussion on Thursday, will not clear the NFL’s concussion protocols ahead of this weekend’s game, and has been ruled out. Look for Ezekiel Turner and David Long to see their LB3 snap counts increase to fill the void. This could also be a spot for practice squad safety Jamal Adams to increase his usage as well.

Not listed with an injury designation

LT Taylor Decker (knee)
DT Alim McNeill (concussion)
DT DJ Reader (shoulder)
DL Josh Paschal (knee)
DL Levi Onwuzurike (hamstring)

Decker practiced in full all week and is expected to return to his starting left tackle position this weekend. He should give the offensive line some added stability and a potential boost in the run game.

McNeill cleared the NFL concussion protocols this week, per coach Dan Campbell, and should step back into a starting role without restriction this Sunday.

Reader didn’t practice to start the week, but that appeared to be a veteran’s rest type of situation, as they allowed the nose tackle another day to recover before slowly getting him back in the fold. He looks on track to start on Sunday, barring any setbacks leading up to the game.

Paschal is also expected to take over a starting role on the defensive line, starting on the edge opposite Za’Darius Smith and allowing Al-Quadin Muhammad to step back into a reserve role.

Onwuzurike also got a slower acclimation process back to practice, but he, too, is ready to go, giving the Lions their healthiest defensive line in weeks.