David Chao, MD
2 min read • September 07, 2023
Posted in
The NFL returns with a clash between the reigning Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs and the NFC North favorite Detroit Lions on Thursday night. This matchup promises electrifying action, but let's delve into how injuries may impact the game.
The Detroit Lions struggled with their secondary last season, prompting them to acquire former San Francisco 49ers cornerback Emmanuel Moseley. However, Moseley suffered an ACL tear on Oct. 9th during a game against the Carolina Panthers and is still undergoing rehabilitation. Although he participated in offseason activities, he has not received medical clearance for game action.
In an effort to strengthen their secondary and alleviate the workload on Tracy Walker III, who led the team in tackles in 2021, the Lions brought in safety CJ Gardner-Johnson. Walker suffered an Achilles injury on Sept. 25 in the Lions' Week 3 loss to the Minnesota Vikings. Although he managed to avoid the PUP list at the start of the year, he won't be fully fit for Week 1 due to lingering effects from last year's Achilles tear.
The significant injury update this week centers around Chiefs' tight end Travis Kelce, who hyperextended his knee during Tuesday's practice. This knee injury is likely to sideline him for Thursday's season opener. According to the pro football docs, Kelce’s Week 2 availability is in jeopardy as well, despite being listed as questionable this week.
Chiefs' wide receiver Kadarius Toney, who has the potential to become the team's primary target, faces health concerns. Toney is set to play in Week 1, but he underwent meniscus trimming during the offseason, requiring additional healing time. His absence from most of the offseason activities adds an element of uncertainty to his role on Thursday night.
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Written by David Chao, MD
