Lions vs Browns Week 4: Final injury report and medical analysis

The Lions head into their Week 4 matchup vs the Browns in pretty healthy shape. The most intriguing injury coming out of last game may be one that didn't even make the injury report. That distinction goes to Jack Campbell who had a gnarly-looking laceration on his upper lip.

The cut on Jack Campbell’s Lip from MNF vs. the Ravens #OnePridepic.twitter.com/SnuMXx7dbx

— Crunch Time Sports (@officialctpod) September 25, 2025

Here is the full sequence of Campbell's laceration which was a result of a Brian Branch cleat. 

The laceration crossed the lip vermilion border which makes for a more delicate repair because the border needs to be lined up for cosmetic reasons. Cosmetic results are often an important part of health care, and the early results are looking good for Campbell.

Cosmetically, the results have also been looking good for the Lions offense, which has been simply gorgeous to watch the past two games.

GOFF ↗️ ST. BROWN ↗️ GIBBS = TOUCHDOWN!!!

The scoring doesn't stop for Detroit as they grab the lead vs. Ravens! #MNFpic.twitter.com/C1dtmnNYkT

— TSN (@TSN_Sports) September 23, 2025

Expect that offensive beauty to fade a bit this Sunday as they face the Browns' league-leading defense. Beauty comes in different forms though, so those who appreciate a low-scoring defensive battle may be similarly enthralled.

Beauty is always there to be found, whether it's in an electric offense, a stifling defense, or even just a plastic bag dancing in the wind….

"Sometimes there's so much beauty in the world, I feel like I can't take it."  - American Beauty

No plastic or paper bags necessary for Lions fans these days as the team is looking like a Super Bowl contender again. Team health is favorable as the final injury report of the week is looking good for both the offense and defense. There is a good chance that all current starters are available vs the Browns. Only one season-opening starter (Marcus Davenport) is out long-term.

Trends

• The Lions saw upgrades during the week with the surprise knees of starters Al-Quadin Muhammad and Derrick Barnes, but a downgrade with backup LB Zach Cunningham.
• The Browns upgraded almost everybody on the report to "in" status, with the key exception of starting OT, Jack Conklin who is questionable.

(NP - no practice, LP - limited practice, FP - full practice)

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DETROIT LIONS

IN - Derrick Barnes, LB (knee) starter

Barnes was playing with a right knee wrap in the 4th quarter last game. This is the same knee that suffered the surgical MCL/PCL last season. Good to see that it's nothing serious.

QUESTIONABLE - Al-Quadin Muhammad, EDGE (knee) starter

Muhammad played until the final snap last game with no signs of an issue. The two LP to finish the week are reassuring, but there is a chance he misses this game. Optimistically, all four Lions "questionables" played last game, and I'm guessing that will happen again this Sunday.

Reports suggest a possible right knee issue.

Not at Lions practice Thursday:

LT Taylor Decker (shoulder)
RB Sione Vaki (hamstring, groin)
S Daniel Thomas (forearm)

Returned to practice:
EDGE Al-Quadin Muhammad (with a compression sleeve on his right leg)

Also didn’t see Dan Skipper.

— Jeremy Reisman (@DetroitOnLion) September 25, 2025

QUESTIONABLE - Taylor Decker, OT (shoulder) starter

Decker missed all week of practice. But he also missed all week of practice before the Week 2 Bears game and still played. I'm expecting Decker to be in.

On Friday, Dan Campbell provided reassuring statements on Decker's availability this week despite the lack of practice.

"We're just trying to get him to where he feels good and feels recovered as much as possible for the game..... He's our most veteran player. Fortunately, walkthrough reps serve him well."

OUT - Sione Vaki, RB (groin)

Vaki hurt his groin last game and the severity is unknown. He had just come back from a multi-week hamstring strain. The Lions will likely ramp him up even more gradually this time after another soft tissue strain. That means it wouldn't be surprising if he lands on IR this weekend.

OUT - Daniel Thomas, S (forearm)

This one is a bit curious as Thomas played late into the 4th quarter last game with no signs of an issue. He did have a small wrap on his right forearm the entire game.

OUT - Zach Cunningham, LB (hamstring)

Cunningham likely suffered a hamstring injury in practice on Thursday. Severity is unknown, but we'll get an idea depending on if he goes on IR this weekend.

Notables unlisted

• DJ Reed, who was on the initial report for cramps, has been off the report the past two days. The initial listing may have been in response to a postgame reporter question about why he missed the final two plays of the game.
• Kerby Joseph is off the report after being on it the previous two weeks with a knee. 

PUP/NFI - must miss first 4 games of season

• Alim McNeill, DT (ACL) - Expect November
• Malcolm Rodriguez, LB (ACL) - Expect late October to November
• Miles Frazier, OG (knee) - Maybe October
• Josh Paschal, EDGE (unspecified cleanup surgery) - Maybe October. On September 20, Campbell stated: "He's improving, that's the best I can tell you."

IR (injured reserve) - eligible to return this season

(Rules recap: There is no limit to the number of players that can be placed on IR. Must stay on IR for minimum 4 games. Only 8 are allowed to return during regular season plus bonus 2 for the playoffs. Last season, Lions used 7 returns during regular season and 1 during playoffs.)

• Marcus Davenport, EDGE (right pec strain, 9/14) - Eligible to return Week 7, October 20. A pec strain can be ready in 1-2 months, so expect a November return.
• Shane Zylstra, TE (suspected right high ankle sprain 9/14) - Eligible to return Week 7. Video suggested a high ankle sprain which can take around 1-2 months - longer if there is a fracture. Hope for a November return.
• Jamarco Jones, OT (ankle 9/4) - Ruled out for season.
• Ezekiel Turner, LB (Achilles 8/23) - Unknown prognosis but likely long-term. Note: there is uncertainty whether Turner was actually designated eligible to return on the cutdown date.

IR - NOT eligible to return this season (key players listed)

• Ennis Rakestraw, CB (shoulder)
• Levi Onwuzurike, DT (ACL)
• Kenny Yeboah, TE (unspecified)
• Colby Sorsdal, OG (leg)
• Justin Herron, OT (arm)
• Dan Jackson, S (leg)

OTHER

• Ahmed Hassanein, EDGE (right pec strain 8/16) - This 6th-round rookie was waived with an injury settlement before the season. The Lions can sign him 3 weeks after the duration of the settlement - the date of which is unknown. A mild pec strain could be ready in about 1 month, which means he could be physically ready now. Hope to see him sign back with the team in October.

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CLEVELAND BROWNS

QUESTIONABLE - Jack Conklin, OT (elbow) starter

This starting RT has missed the last two games. Dawand Jones, who has started all year at OT, just went on IR with a right knee.

IN - Joel Bitonio, OG (back, rest) starter

IN - Grant Delpit, S (back) starter

IN - Myles Garrett, DE (rest) starter

IN - David Njoku, TE (knee) starter

IN - Cedric Tillman, WR (hand, hip) starter

IN - Denzel Ward, CB (shoulder) starter

OUT - Mike Hall, DT (knee)

Hall has yet to play this season.

IN - Shelby Harris, DT (hamstring)

This article originally appeared on Lions Wire: Lions vs Browns Week 4: Final injury report and medical analysis