Detroit’s camp is hitting a rugged stretch. Through two preseason games and weeks of practice, the Lions have tallied 20 injuries as of Aug 11, including season-ending blows for Ennis Rakestraw Jr. and Levi Onwuzurike, plus lingering absences for Alim McNeill and Malcolm Rodriguez. The depth will be tested as Detroit leans on reserves to open the season, elevating late-round and breakout candidates in both the defense and the skill positions.

Across the league, injury loads vary: Arizona has 10, Buffalo 15, Green Bay 15, while San Francisco sits highest at 31. Those contrasts frame fantasy angles—watch for emergent Lions contributors like Sam LaPorta and Kalif Raymond if early returns require make-do lineups. For bettors and managers, the landscape emphasizes volatility early, with notable players such as Matthew Stafford and Tyreek Hill carrying elevated relevance in Week 1 due to surrounding health dynamics.