Detroit Lions Week Six Injury Report

Buckle up Lions Fans.

If the last few weeks is any indication, the marriage of Jim Schwartz to the Detroit area is going to be filled with intrigue and suspense—like being married to a Kennedy.

So, while Lion backers may hope that Schwartz lasts as long here as his mentor, Jeff Fisher, has been in Tennessee, those same fans may want to say goodbye to knowing what the heck is going on.

Jim Schwartz might as well don a team-inspired hoodie because his lips are Belichick-tight.

This week, the Lions media (specifically Brian VanOchten) were duped by a fake Matthew Stafford twitter account when questions arose whether or not he was practicing. According to the team, he hasn't. However, no one knows what happens when the media is closed off from Allen Park.

If the Lions were the Patriots, Adam Schefter, Peter King, and others would be knee deep in this mystery. However, no one really cares about the Lions and they are a .500 season away from getting any sort of media respect.

So, let's not dwell.

Here's the injury report with accompanying comments for week six against the Packers.

Doubtful

• Sammie Lee Hill (Ankle)
  

Recently Gunther Cunningham compared Hill to a young Albert Haynesworth. Although that is certainly hyperbole at its finest, it speaks volumes to what a healthy Hill could mean to this team. Hill is ahead of where the team thought he would be in his maturation and the defensive line needs him to be healthy. Turk McBride could get his second start.

• Jason Hunter (Ankle)

Hunter was one of the Lions better pass rushers before his ankle injury sidelined him. Although Cliff Avril is back and will start, Hunter still has a more well rounded game and has the added experience of having gone against Packers linemen every day in practice for much of his career.

• Ko Simpson (Hamstring)

After acquiring Simpson, it was hoped he would be able to get up to speed soon and start every game the rest of the season. Marquand Manuel will get the nod again this week as Simpson struggles with a nagging injury. Manuel is a poor man's Ko Simpson which isn't saying much.

Questionable

• Matthew Stafford (Knee)

Cue the questions about Stafford's knee. No one knows how bad of an injury it was/is or when he will return. With no real solid evidence that Stafford has done any real work this week, he should be listed as doubtful. However, he could pull a Superman at game time. Unless that happens, Culpepper will get the start.

• Calvin Johnson (Knee)

The one thing about wide receivers, they don't really need practice from week to week. There are plenty of diva wide receivers who barely practice at all and still put up huge numbers on Sundays. Johnson is a very real possibility to play. If not, Johnson and Johnson becomes Johnson and Williams (with Northcutt in the slot).

• DeWayne White (Hamstring)

When healthy, White is the Lions' best defensive lineman. When injured, it forces Andre Fluellen into the defensive end spot and Copeland Bryan could start. If both White and Hunter can't go, expect Julian Peterson to see a lot of time at defensive end.

• Jerome Felton (Shoulder)

Limited in practice the past two days, Fulton will go through the paces on Sunday morning and play if he is able. As of week six, Felton has been the best Lions at working the middle of the field. Terrelle Smith is the backup and is a better blocker but not as good of an offensive threat.

• Maurice Morris (Hip)

Morris is not the Lions number two back but he is the Lion who will carry the load if Kevin Smith goes down. With Smith healthy (and off the injury report all together) the loss of Morris does not create much of a ripple.

• Casey Fitzsimmons (Thigh)

Fitzsimmons should be active and ready to go in limited action. If all goes well, he will be a non-factor either way.

Probable

• Grady Jackson (Knee)

Jackson went on Wednesday but did not practice the rest of the week. It was probably just a precaution for old man winter who needs all the rest he can get. Jackson will go but expect to see a heavy dose of Andre Fluellen and Landon Cohen...blech.

• Jordan Dizon (Foot)

Dizon has been able to practice somewhat every single day this week. His presence is a must to an already lagging special teams squad and a defense which has performed well in subpackages. 

• Ernie Sims (Shoulder)

Levy has played extremely well in Sims' absence. However, fans fail to realize that Sims will probably get his job back when he is 100 percent. That isn't this week.

• Brandon Pettigrew (Hamstring)

Pettigrew will run prior to the game on Sunday and should check out healthy. If he is able to go, the big rook will play a large roll. Or at least he should according to Seattle Lions Fan.

• Gosder Cherilus (Shoulder)

No one player was missed more in week five than Cherilus. The second year man has played well in the last ten games and will be integral in establishing any sort of run game at Lambeau.

News and Notes

Packers' Injury Report —Out: FB Korey Hall, RB DeShawn Wynn, RT Mark Tauscher. Questionable: FB Quinn Johnson, C Jason Spitz, C Scott Wells. Probable: OT Chad Clifton, OG Daryn Colledge, S Atari Bigby, RB Brandon Jackson, DE Cullen Jenkins, DT Ryan Pickett, LB Brady Poppinga, LB Jeremy Thompson.

The Packers are only an injury or two away from having just as bad of a situation as the Lions. In fact, the Lions benefit from having a healthy offensive line (for what it's worth.)

The Lions' depth problems on the interior defensive line may be masked by a worse problem on the Packers' interior offensive line.

DeMarcus Faggins May be Ready for Game Action: Nickolas Cotsonika of the Free Press believes Faggins may see action even though he was just signed this week. In less surprising news, WR John Standeford will also be active and ready to play.

East Meets West: If Chad Clifton is not able to go, TJ Lang may start for the Packers on the left side. His presence would give the Packers two "Directional Michigan" stars—Lang and Greg Jennings from Western. They both could contact Louis Delmas, the Lions rookie from Western. In all, the two teams will boast 10 players from Michigan colleges.

Anthony Henry, Heathy, May Not Start: In a story not much talked about in this past week, Anthony Henry was benched in week five. Buchanon is the most physically talented cornerback on the roster but Kevin Hobbs could end up with the start.