The Detroit Lions’ season-long battle with injuries continues as they prepare to host the Dallas Cowboys (6-5-1) on Thursday Night Football, Dec. 4. While several key contributors are already ruled out, the biggest question still looming is the status of star wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown.
St. Brown exited Detroit’s Thanksgiving Day matchup against the Green Bay Packers after an offensive lineman rolled onto his leg from behind, causing an ankle injury that immediately cast doubt on his availability for Week 14. With the Lions entering the week at 7-5, currently eighth in the NFC and outside the playoff picture, having their All-Pro receiver available is crucial.
Here’s the latest on St. Brown heading into kickoff.
Amon-Ra St. Brown injury update
As of now, the Lions have not made a final decision on St. Brown’s status. He was officially listed as questionable on Detroit’s final injury report, and the team is expected to determine his availability through a game-time decision.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported at 2:07 p.m. ET that Detroit “doesn’t know yet” if St. Brown will suit up. Schefter also noted that sitting out Thursday’s game and returning in Week 15 may be the more “realistic expectation,” though the Lions plan to give their star receiver every opportunity to test the ankle before kickoff.
St. Brown has rarely missed time throughout his five-year NFL career, with only two absences to date. The last came in 2023 due to an abdominal injury he played through for two weeks before missing Week 5. Before that, he sustained a similar low ankle sprain in Week 3 of 2022 and missed only the following game.
St. Brown did not participate in practice this week, but Detroit has no intention of placing him on injured reserve, which would mandate a minimum four-week absence. NFL Media’s Tom Pelissero reported that St. Brown was deemed “week-to-week” after suffering the injury. Pelissero also added that Detroit’s upcoming mini-bye, a benefit of playing on Thursday night, may aid St. Brown’s recovery if he is unable to play tonight.
Detroit is already familiar with operating without key weapons — most notably star tight end Sam LaPorta, who has been lost for the season.
What the Lions’ WR depth looks like without St. Brown
Detroit’s current wide receiver group includes:
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Amon-Ra St. Brown (injured)
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Jameson Williams
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Kalif Raymond
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Isaac TeSlaa
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Tom Kennedy
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Dominic Lovett
Kalif Raymond and TE Brock Wright were unavailable last week, though both could be active for tonight’s game.
After St. Brown exited on Thanksgiving, Isaac TeSlaa and Tom Kennedy stepped in as the Lions’ No. 2 and No. 3 receivers behind Jameson Williams, who became Jared Goff’s primary option. Williams delivered a breakout performance with 144 yards and a touchdown on seven receptions, drawing a team-high 10 targets.
TesLaa — a third-round rookie standing at 6-foot-4 and 214 pounds — has emerged as a legitimate red-zone option and could see expanded responsibilities if St. Brown is unavailable.
With Detroit’s playoff hopes tightening, all attention now shifts to pregame warmups and whether their offensive centerpiece can give it a go on Thursday night.
