The Detroit Lions, sitting pretty at 5-2, are rolling into Week 9 on the road against the Miami Dolphins (1-6), but their injury report just dropped a bombshell: rookie linebacker Jimmy Rolder’s season is officially OVER. This is a brutal hit right when the team is looking to make some serious noise. Rolder injured his hamstring last Sunday, and with surgery potentially on the table, the team is shutting him down for the rest of 2026. The good news is he should be back on the field for 2027, but man, that’s a tough break for the kid and the defense.
IR and PUP List Woes
Rolder’s season-ending injury isn’t the only concern piling up on the injured reserve and PUP lists. It feels like every week we’re seeing more names, and while some guys are eligible to return soon, others are still a ways off. Running back Isiah Pacheco, for example, is dealing with an MCL and back issue, and he’s not expected back until December. That’s a huge chunk of the season without a key backfield presence.
On the offensive line, Giovanni Manu is on the NFI list with an undisclosed issue, but he can start practicing at any time. Same goes for Thomas Harper (ankle, IR) in the secondary. There’s a little light at the end of the tunnel for offensive lineman Ben Bartch (foot, IR) and linebacker Devin White (forearm, IR), who are both eligible to begin practicing in Week 10. That’s something, right? Safety Kerby Joseph is also on the PUP list with a knee injury, and his evaluation clock has started. The Lions held a walkthrough Wednesday, so all these participation levels are just estimates, but the depth is definitely getting tested.
Jack Campbell’s Status: Progress, But Still No Practice
Everyone’s been waiting for an update on linebacker Jack Campbell, and we finally got one. He dropped a statement earlier today, and it sounds pretty encouraging. Campbell said he’s “incredibly encouraged by the progress” he’s made, has “full movement in [his] lower body,” and is “continuing to make progress with movement in [his] upper body.” He’s staying “optimistic” and “taking things one day at a time.” That’s the fighting spirit you love to see!
Despite the positive vibes from Campbell, he’s still dealing with a neck injury from Week 8 and was listed as “estimated no practice” for Wednesday. The good news is he’s still on the 53-man roster, not on injured reserve. The team typically takes their time with these kinds of situations, so we just have to be patient and not jump to any conclusions about why a move hasn’t been made yet. Still, it’s gotta be a little concerning to see him miss practice, even with the hopeful statement.
Week 9 Starters Could Look Different
Beyond Campbell, a few other key players also missed Wednesday’s estimated practice, which could mean a shake-up for Week 9 against the Dolphins. Center Cade Mays (ankle) was injured in Week 8, and while it’s a “low” ankle injury that usually keeps players out one to six weeks, it looks like Juice Scruggs is prepping to start. Mays’s absence was actually planned for Wednesday, so maybe there’s a chance he’s back sooner rather than later, but for now, it’s Scruggs’ turn.
Then you’ve got EDGE rusher DJ Wonnum (concussion) and cornerback D.J. Reed (hip), both also injured in Week 8 and listed as “estimated no practice.” The Lions are 5-2, heading into a game against a struggling 1-6 Dolphins squad, but these injuries, especially the season-ending one for Rolder and the uncertainty around Campbell, Wonnum, and Reed, could make things way more interesting than they need to be. It’s time for the next man up to step up, big time, if they want to keep that winning momentum going.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Pride of Detroit.
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