Dan Campbell provided some health updates today in his press conference. Relevant quotes are included below. There were no surprises coming out of the preseason game on July 31 which is always a good thing. I’ve also included some follow-ups from the preseason game as well as issues from the past week.
From today’s Dan Campbell press conference….
Dan Skipper – left ankle sprain, July 31
“He’ll probably be down for about a week. Got his ankle a little bit.”
This injury occurred on the first play of the 2nd quarter. Video of the injury was obscured both on the live feed and the all-22 angle. All indications are that this is not a severe ankle sprain, and he’ll be fine soon.
Taylor Decker – shoulder cleanup surgery, June or July
“He will be out there individual group. Don’t see him doing any team right now.”
Decker was expected to return to practice after the first preseason game, and he has stayed true to that schedule. He should be ready for the season.
Terrion Arnold – hamstring, July 29
“It’s not a major hamstring. This is a low-grade. We’re hoping to have him back by the middle of the week.”
A one-week absence for a hamstring means it’s very minor. He had an even more minor calf issue on July 24 for which he returned to practice the next day.
Kenny Yeboah – right knee hyperflexion, July 31
Campbell stated that Yeboah avoided any significant injury during the game. This was expected but still welcome news.
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Following up on others from the game….
Hendon Hooker – head trauma, July 31
Hooker had his head violently whiplashed to the ground which was highly concerning for a concussion. Now three days later, it appears he has very fortunately escaped a concussion diagnosis. Campbell stated that Hooker will start the next preseason game.
Ennis Rakestraw – chest contusion, July 20
Jeff Risdon reviewed the film and observed that Rakestraw’s chest injury is clearly still bothering him. This injury was reported as a contusion which can be very painful and cause a mass effect from an underlying hematoma (pooling of blood related to a bruise).
A contusion isn’t a long-term concern, so hopefully his symptoms resolve soon which should result in better performance. A forceful blunt trauma to the chest can also cause a rib sprain, rib fracture, or a rib cartilage injury which could all take longer to recover from than a contusion.
Craig Reynolds – chest, July 31
Reynolds was down briefly after appearing to land on the ball. There have been no follow-up reports of an injury.
Isaac TeSlaa – left knee
TeSlaa has been wearing a left knee sleeve during training camp for unknown reasons. Whatever might be going on didn’t slow him down whatsoever during the preseason game as he flashed scary, big-play potential.
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From Dan Campbell’s press conference a few days ago…
Kerby Joseph – knee (presumed left)
“Not major….just a little bit of a knee irritation. Hoping to get him back Saturday [yesterday].”
Joseph posted an Instagram pic showing a left knee sleeve. He is back at practice today so there is nothing major going on.
Josh Paschal – unspecified “cleanup” surgery, on NFI
“He’s on schedule to be ready for early September to start practicing.”
The NFI (non-football injury) designation as opposed to PUP (physically unable to perform) continues to be interesting here. It could imply (among other things) that he was injured doing something he wasn’t supposed to be doing or that the injury is non-orthopedic related.
By placing him on NFI as opposed to PUP, the Lions are not obligated to pay his base salary which could become relevant if he’s not ready for the start of the season.
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From practice today…
Ennis Rakestraw – left shoulder
Dan Jackson – leg
#Lions CB Ennis Rakestraw is being evaluated for a shoulder injury that he sustained in a one-on-one tackling drill. He fell on his left shoulder and struggled to get up.
S Dan Jackson is being evaluated for a leg injury. Didn’t see what happened.
— Nolan Bianchi (@nolanbianchi) August 3, 2025
This article originally appeared on Lions Wire: Lions health updates for August 3: Game follow-ups and practice news