The Detroit Lions will be without two of their top special teams players for Sunday’s game against the Cleveland Browns.
The Lions ruled safety Daniel Thomas, running back Sione Vaki and linebacker Zach Cunningham out after all three missed practice Friday with injuries.
Advertisement
Thomas underwent surgery on his broken forearm Wednesday, Vaki injured his groin in last week’s win over the Baltimore Ravens and Cunningham pulled his hamstring in practice Thursday.
Offensive Lineman Taylor Decker walks off the field during day two of the Detroit Lions training camp at the Detroit Lions Headquarters in Dearborn, Mich. on Thursday, July 25, 2024.
Thomas and Vaki are core special teams players for the Lions, while Cunningham has played as the No. 4 linebacker and made two key tackles as part of a goal-line stand last week.
Left tackle Taylor Decker (shoulder) and defensive end Al-Quadin Muhammad (knee) are questionable, though both are expected to play.
Decker has practiced sparingly since the start of the regular season and missed practice all week. Lions coach Dan Campbell said he hopes Decker’s injury will not limit him in practice all season.
Advertisement
“We’d rather it not be the case, but that’s just the way it is right now,” he said. “We’re just trying to get him to where he feels good and feels recovered as much as possible for the game. And it’s the right thing to do right now. And Decker’s giving us what he’s got and we’re all appreciative for that.”
Dave Birkett covers the Lions for the Detroit Free Press. Contact him at dbirkett@freepress.com. Follow him on Bluesky, X and Instagram at @davebirkett.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Lions injury report: Taylor Decker managing shoulder issue