The head coach of the Detroit Lions Dan Campbell offered updates on a pair of players who have yet to suit up for the team this year, and the news was mixed. Lions safety Ifeatu Melifonwu, who has missed the entire season with a groin and finger injury, has opened his 21-day practice window on Wednesday and is now eligible to come off injured reserve.

Unfortunately, the news isn’t as good for defensive end John Cominsky. Cominsky suffered a torn MCL in July, and while the Lions were initially hopeful he could return late in the season, Campbell said on Wednesday he doesn’t believe Cominsky will return this season.

“I think it’s unlikely,” Campbell said.

“Man, he’s tried. He’s been rehabbing, he’s doing it. It’s just trying to get over that last little hump here. It’s been tough. He’s been doing everything he can, and those guys are doing a heck of a job rehabbing him, trying to get him back. But I think it’s unlikely.”

Cominsky has been a strong depth piece for the Lions defensive end room since the Lions claimed him off waivers in 2022. In that first year, he produced 4.0 sacks, 12 QB hits, and three passes defended in 14 games. He then started 11 games last year, earning 2.0 sacks, 36 tackles, and eight quarterback hits.

Detroit could’ve certainly used the defensive line help in their playoff push, as Aidan Hutchinson, Marcus Davenport, and Derrick Barnes are not expected to return—with Hutchinson having a small chance at a Super Bowl appearance.

As for Melifonwu, his return comes in time for Detroit to adjust to life without starting cornerback Carlton Davis, who suffered a broken jaw on Sunday and is out indefinitely. Melifonwu isn’t likely to play outside cornerback, but he could be part of the team’s adjustment in the secondary, as he can play in the box as a nickel corner, a linebacker, or back deep as a safety.

Given that Melifonwu has not played yet and only even practiced for a couple of weeks this entire season, it’s unclear when they’ll take him off injured reserve and have him in the lineup. But on Monday, Campbell didn’t rule out him playing this week against the Chicago Bears.

“Do we think he could help us as early as Sunday? I don’t know that right now, and I won’t until we get him out there running around a little bit,” Campbell said.

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Detroit Lions OG Graham Glasgow ‘Working Through’ Knee Injury, Questionable Vs. Bears

Graham Glasgow was listed as a limited participant in practice Friday, but the Detroit Lions’ starting left guard is questionable to play Sunday against the Chicago Bears because of a knee injury.

“We’re working through it,” Glasgow told the Free Press. “We’ll see.”

Glasgow played all 79 offensive snaps in last week’s loss to the Buffalo Bills, but needed X-rays after the game. He did not practice Wednesday or Thursday, when Lions coach Dan Campbell held most of the starting line out of practice for rest.

Frank Ragnow, Taylor Decker and Kevin Zeitler sat out practice Wednesday, and Ragnow joined Glasgow on the sideline Thursday. None has an injury designation for Sunday.

Campbell said before practice he did not expect Glasgow to practice at all Friday. Rookie sixth-round pick Christian Mahogany could make his first career start if Glasgow can’t play.

The Lions ruled running back David Montgomery out for Sunday’s game with a knee injury and will not activate linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin from injured reserve after starting his 21-day return-to-practice window on Thursday.

Safety Brian Branch is listed as questionable but expected to play with a calf injury, and Ifeatu Melfonwu practiced in full for the third straight day Friday and could come off IR Sunday to help the Lions’ short-handed defense.

Campbell said this week Melifonwu could contribute in a safety/linebacker hybrid role. The Lions are without starting cornerback Carlton Davis III, likely for the rest of the year.

“So much of this was about getting his legs back under him, getting him comfortable this week,” Campbell said of Melifonwu.

“I’m not closed to (him playing). He’s gotten a little better every day and he’ll go out there today and practice and we’re working him in some stuff — just see where he’s at. But it’s good to have him back and it’s good to see him out there, functioning, working the position, and so that’s a good thing.”

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Emmanuel Moseley Wants to Prove the Lions Right for Believing in Him

It’s been quite a journey for Emmanuel Moseley the last three seasons. A torn left ACL ended his 2022 season with the San Francisco 49ers in Week 5. Then two snaps into his Detroit Lions’ debut in Week 5 last season, he tore his right ACL.

A torn pectoral in camp delayed the start to this season for Moseley. He made his season debut in Week 12 against the Indianapolis Colts, playing 15 special teams snaps.

Then what was later revealed to be a hamstring injury in pregame warmups sidelined him for the Thanksgiving Day game against the Chicago Bears. He has been a healthy scratch in the two games since, with no explanation.

With Carlton Davis out indefinitely with a fractured jaw, Moseley feels like the “next man up” for the Lions at cornerback. With that in mind, head coach Dan Campbell was asked where Moseley is at health-wise on Friday.

“This is the best week he’s had since he’s come back from the injury,” Campbell said.

“I just think he looks so much more comfortable, he’s moving around well, and it’s been really two great days for him.”

Before his first torn ACL, Moseley had a 73.5 Pro Football Focus coverage grade over his first five games in 2022. This year, that grade would be the 20th best coverage grade among cornerbacks. Expectations should not land on that level as he is lined up for a big role, but the skill set was there before the recent run of injuries.

Emmanuel Moseley wants to prove Lions were right to stick with him
Despite playing just those two aforementioned snaps last season, the Lions took a second one-year flier on Moseley in March. They also supported him through his training camp injury this year, and he talked about how much he appreciates the team’s approach to his situation.

“It means a lot, to be honest, man. Because like you say, most people, they would’ve got rid of me, and it means a lot,” Moseley said, via Kory Woods of MLive.

“It means that they believe in me; they see something in me. I’m just waiting for my moment to show them: ‘Thank you for believing in me, thank you for giving me another opportunity, thank you for trusting in me.’ I want to get on the field and show ‘em.”

Moseley told Woods he felt ready to play against the Packers and Bills, but what was at that point a healthy secondary led him being inactive.

“It was something that set me back during the Chicago game. But after that, I was pretty much good to go,” Moseley said.

“I don’t know if it was a numbers thing or whatever, but like you said, I’m just waiting for my moment, trusting that I’m in the right spot, trusting my moment when it comes, and then going out there and doing what I got to do.”

The moment seems to be here for Moseley, and he may be called to take on a key role for the Lions at the most important time of the year.