Two key starters will miss or be severely limited in practice for the Detroit Lions on Friday, putting their status for Sunday’s season opener against the Chicago Bears in question.
Wide receiver Kenny Golladay and right tackle Halapoulivaati Vaitai did not practice Thursday and will be restricted again Friday, Lions coach Matt Patricia said in his pre-practice video conference.
Golladay, who suffered a hamstring injury in practice Wednesday, watched drills in uniform during the open portion of practice Thursday, while Vaitai, who’s dealing with a foot injury, was not on the practice field.
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“We’re taking all those day by day,” Patricia said. “It is that type of situation, that type of injury right now, so that’s where we’ll be.”
Patricia said he saw an uptick in joint and soft-tissue injuries during this year’s condensed training camp.
Normally, he said players deal with knee, hip and shoulder joints during the spring, and work through soft tissue injuries in late July and early August.
Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, NFL teams did not hold formal spring workouts and started padded training camp practices in mid-August.
If Golladay, the NFL leader in touchdown receptions last season, can’t play Sunday, one of rookie Quintez Cephus, speedster Marvin Hall or converted cornerback Jamal Agnew will play as the Lions’ third receiver.
Tyrell Crosby, who made five starts as the Lions’ swing tackle last season, is in line to replace Vaitai, one of the Lions’ top free agent additions, at right tackle.
The Lions also named six captains Friday, in a vote by players: Quarterback Matthew Stafford, left tackle Taylor Decker, long snapper Don Muhlbach, defensive end Trey Flowers, safety Duron Harmon and linebacker Jarrad Davis.
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