With so many key players banged up this week, Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell has resorted to creating injury designations.
The Wednesday and Thursday practice reports for the Detroit Lions have been filled with notable players (D’Andre Swift, Frank Ragnow, Jonah Jackson), and Friday’s final injury report is sure to be the same. Head coaches are often vague when talking about injuries, for competitive reasons, etc., and even Dan Campbell is not immune to that.
Campbell is a walking sound bite, refreshingly and uniquely so. Before Friday’s practice, he did not disappoint when talking about the status of players for Sunday against the Washington Commanders.
Via Lions Wire, Campbell said center Frank Ragnow (foot/groin) and left guard Jonah Jackson (finger) are “questionably probable.” Meanwhile, running back D’Andre Swift (ankle) and cornerback Amani Oruwariye (hamstring) are “probably questionable.”
Dan Campbell out here creating his own hybrid injury statuses
The difference between questionable and probable, in terms of whether someone actually plays or not, may not be much when it comes down to it when a coach says it. With data backing it up, with 95 percent of players listed that way playing in games in years before, the NFL eliminated “probable” as an official injury designation back in 2016. Questionable players are considered uncertain to play, which is no change from the previously tabbed 50 percent likelihood.
Friday’s final injury report will tell the tale officially and publicly, regardless what the aformentioned players did or didn’t do during Friday’s practice. Questionable listings are likely with all four being tabbed as “day to day”, but after not practicing all week Ragnow is trending toward doubtful or out.
Sometimes, reasonable minds can see a player as on the “probable side of questionable” etc., based on practice participation or a coach’s words (as much as the latter can be totally trusted). But Campbell created his own injury updates/designations, which should surprise no one.