The Detroit Lions didn’t just lose their Thanksgiving day game against the Green Bay Packers in 2025. They also lost one of their key offensive players.
Wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown exited the game in the first quarter after suffering an ankle injury when a lineman rolled on his leg from behind while he was engaged in blocking a defender.
St. Brown was able to walk off the field under his own power but quickly headed to the locker room. He was walking with a slight limp and was ruled out for the remainder of the contest after initially being deemed ‘questionable’ to return.
The good news for the Lions? St. Brown’s injury doesn’t appear to be of the long-term variety. That said, with the team playing a second consecutive Thursday game, his status entering Week 14 will bear watching as the Lions look to work their way back into the NFC playoff picture.
Here’s what to know about St. Brown’s injury and when he could return to the field.
Is Amon-Ra St. Brown playing Week 14 vs. Cowboys?
The Lions have not yet announced whether St. Brown will be available for the team’s Week 14 game against the Cowboys.
It isn’t clear exactly when Detroit may communicate a decision about St. Brown’s status. That said, ESPN’s Adam Schefter said in a Dec. 1 appearance on ‘The Pat McAfee Show’ he expects the Lions to wait to make a decision about St. Brown’s status until closer to the game.
‘I don’t think they’ll be ready to rule him out quick,’ Schefter said. ‘Maybe they will, but I think he’s gonna give it a chance to be able to try to be able to play on Thursday. I’m not telling you he will, but this is guy is very, very tough.’
NFL fans will have a better understanding of St. Brown’s potential availability based on the Lions’ practice reports. Those will be released Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday ahead of the team’s ‘Thursday Night Football’ game against the Cowboys.
If St. Brown can practice on a full basis early in the week, he may be able to suit up without missing any extra action. If he’s limited or a non-participant, that may make it difficult for him to suit up for Detroit’s second consecutive Thursday game.
Amon-Ra St. Brown injury update
St. Brown was originally classified as ‘week-to-week’ after suffering a low ankle sprain in the Lions’ Thanksgiving loss to the Green Bay Packers, per NFL Media’s Tom Pelissero.
While St. Brown is considered week-to-week because of his ankle injury, Pelissero reports the 26-year-old receiver should avoid being placed on injured reserve. That means the Lions expect St. Brown to return to action without having to miss the minimum four games required by such a stint.
Pelissero also noted the Lions will have a mini-bye after Week 14, which will allow St. Brown some extra rest should Detroit need to hold him out. That could help the fifth-year veteran return to the field quickly, even if he isn’t able to suit up against the Cowboys.
Lions WR depth chart
The Lions have six receivers on their 53-man roster, but just two are presently healthy. Below is a look at the pecking order within the unit:
Amon-Ra St. Brown (injured)
Jameson Williams
Kalif Raymond (injured)
Isaac TeSlaa
Tom Kennedy
Dominic Lovett
As long as St. Brown remains out of action, Williams will be Jared Goff’s top target. The 2022 first-round pick has generated 706 yards and six touchdowns on 38 receptions this season and will use his blazing speed to get open and make big plays.
TeSlaa, a rookie third-round pick out of Arkansas, could also be more involved in Detroit’s offense. The 23-year-old recorded a career-best 35 receiving yards and scored his second touchdown on Thanksgiving after St. Brown’s injury. His 6-4, 214-pound frame and elite-level catch radius will make him a legitimate red-zone threat if he sees increased opportunities.
The Lions also have veteran Malik Cunningham and undrafted rookie Jackson Meeks on the practice squad and could call either up if St. Brown misses time because of his injury.