RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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The Detroit Lions came away with a 17-13 preseason win over the Washington Commanders on Saturday, but the victory included one injury Dan Campbell clearly didn’t feel good about.
Veteran wide receiver Cedrick Wilson Jr. suffered a left knee injury during the first quarter , leaving a game in which he was making a strong case in Detroit’s crowded receiver competition. Wilson caught passes on consecutive plays before being injured while running a route on an incompletion intended for Tom Kennedy.
Campbell’s reaction afterward was concerning.
“I’m worried on that one,” Campbell said after the game . “I love Wilson, man. He just, he’s a smart, crafty football player, gets it. Can play all the spots at receiver, special teams and we don’t know. We’re getting that knee looked at.”
Detroit has not announced a diagnosis or timetable, so anything beyond calling it a knee injury would be speculation.
The timing is brutal for Wilson.
Detroit signed the 30-year-old veteran in May to compete for a reserve role, and that competition has become one of the toughest decisions on the roster. The Lions entered Saturday with Wilson, Tay Martin, Tom Kennedy and several others fighting for spots behind Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, Isaac TeSlaa and Greg Dortch.
Campbell acknowledged just how tight the race has become.
“That room is hard,” Campbell said . “That room is very difficult right now because there are guys that are making plays.”
The Lions had already described the competition for the final receiver spots as an “all-out” battle , making Wilson’s injury especially costly this close to roster cuts.
Sione Vaki Expected Back at Practice
There was much better news involving Sione Vaki , who did not play Saturday because of a back spasm.
Vaki woke up Friday with what Campbell described as a knot in his back. Detroit attempted to loosen it enough for him to play, but eventually decided not to force the issue.
“We’ll get this to calm down, he’ll be ready to practice this week, I would anticipate, so I think we’ll be OK there,” Campbell said .
That is encouraging considering how much camp Vaki has already lost. He recently returned after suffering a broken nose and eye injury during Detroit’s first padded practice .
Vaki is battling for offensive work behind Jahmyr Gibbs and Isiah Pacheco while remaining one of Detroit’s top special-teams players. The Lions’ official training camp breakdown identified him as the leading candidate for the No. 3 running back role entering camp. ( DetroitLions.com )
Detroit also left Saturday with two additional injury concerns. Jabari Small entered concussion protocol , while offensive lineman Michael Niese was on crutches after suffering a leg injury in the second half.
The Lions have one preseason game remaining, Aug. 29 at Indianapolis. Vaki appears likely to be back on the field before then.
Wilson’s situation is far less certain, and with roster decisions approaching, the results of his knee evaluation could have immediate consequences for both him and Detroit’s wide receiver competition.
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