Amon Ra St Brown Injury Update
Amon Ra St Brown left the Detroit Lions Thanksgiving game against the Green Bay Packers with an ankle injury. He got hurt in the first quarter while blocking on a running play when an offensive lineman rolled up on the back of his leg. He stayed down for a short time then limped to the sideline and went to the locker room. The team first called him questionable to return then ruled him out early in the second half.
The Lions listed it as an ankle injury and did not give more detail right away. The play looked bad in real time because his lower leg got pinned from behind while he was engaged with a defender. He did walk off under his own power which is at least a small positive sign. Still his exit removed the main target from the Detroit passing game for the rest of the night.
Reports after the game say this is not viewed as a season ending injury. Head coach Dan Campbell said he does not think it is a long long term issue but he admitted the injury could cost St Brown some time. The early expectation is that he could miss around a week or two while the ankle settles down. That puts his status in doubt for at least the next game and maybe one more depending on how fast the ankle responds.
Detroit still has tests and follow up evaluations to complete so the exact grade of the sprain is not public. Most reports describe it as the type of injury that needs rest and rehab but not surgery. Until imaging is fully read and the swelling drops the team will not lock in a final timetable. For now the working plan is short absence instead of months on the sideline.
Before the injury St Brown was again playing like one of the most productive receivers in the league this season. He leads the Lions with 75 catches 884 yards and nine touchdowns and ranks near the top of the NFL in targets and receiving yards. He is a captain and the go to option for Jared Goff in key situations. When he left the game his streak of 70 straight games with a catch also ended because he did not record a reception before exiting.
His absence changed the Lions offense right away. With St Brown out Goff threw more often to Jameson Williams who saw a big jump in volume and scored through the air. The team also leaned more on running back Jahmyr Gibbs as a receiver to move the chains. Detroit already had other injuries at tight end so losing St Brown on top of that left the passing game thin at proven options.
From a team point of view the timing is rough because the Lions are in the playoff race and face strong opponents in the next couple of weeks. Their upcoming schedule includes games against contenders which raises the pressure to get at least one win even if their top wideout is not available. Without St Brown the offense may need more quick throws screen passes and a stronger run focus to stay balanced. Role players in the receiver room will have to handle more snaps and more varied assignments.
For fantasy football managers this injury is a major story. In redraft leagues St Brown should be held on rosters since the current outlook points to a short recovery of about one or two games. Managers need a backup plan for at least Week 13 and possibly Week 14 depending on later practice reports. Jameson Williams becomes a high upside option while St Brown is out especially in formats that reward big plays.
In deeper leagues other Lions receivers could have streaming value. Players like depth wideouts or pass catching backs might see a few more targets each week even if none fully replace St Brown’s normal volume. Tight end usage could also creep up if the coaching staff wants more quick middle of the field throws while their star wideout recovers. Fantasy managers should track local beat reports and official practice participation updates through the week.
The key thing for Lions fans is that the early message from the team is cautious but not panicked. Campbell’s comments point to a manageable injury that still hurts in the short term but does not derail the entire season. The medical staff will likely limit St Brown at practice or keep him off his feet for a bit so the ankle can calm down. A clearer picture should arrive once the next round of evaluations is complete and the team releases its first injury report of the new week.
Disclaimer
This injury update is based on publicly available reports and team statements. Player health status can change rapidly, and no information provided here should be taken as medical advice or as an official team prognosis. Always refer to team injury reports and trusted NFL news sources for the most current updates.
