Detroit Lions Receive Huge Injury News on Key Player
The Detroit Lions are moments away from their much-anticipated game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday, October 12, and it’s shaping up to be an even bigger matchup than expected. That’s because heading into this game, the Lions are actually the No. 1 team in the NFL, according to ESPN’s power rankings, out on Tuesday, October 7 piece.
Meanwhile, the Chiefs are 2-3 for the season, which is not a familiar place for them to be, and the Lions are 4-1. So, even though the Chiefs are still favored to win this game, there are a lot of factors that could have this game swing in favor of Detroit.
The Detroit Lions play the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday, October 12, at Arrowhead Stadium. So, yes, Taylor Swift will likely be there to cheer on her man, Travis Kelce. But, enough of the pop culture fun. What’s important is that a key Detroit Lions player that gave the team quite a scare this week appears to be back on the field and healthy again. That didn’t take long.
Detroit Lions Injury Report
One of the Lions’ most important players, Amon-Ra St. Brown, was a non-participant on Wednesday, October 8, due to a wrist injury. This was really surprising and scared quite a few people in the Lions’ camp. But, nobody has to jump off a ledge anytime soon, because St. Brown is back.
According to the Detroit Lions’ Thursday injury report, St. Brown was a full participant in practice once again. Thank God, right? He’s obviously one of the best in his position in the league, and the Lions need him against the Chiefs. So, he’s expected to play at Arrowhead on Sunday.
“After sitting out Wednesday’s session due to a wrist injury, St. Brown was spotted on the practice field Thursday, and his activity level indicates that the issue isn’t much of a concern,” CBS Sports notes in a Thursday, October 9 piece. “He’ll thus turn his focus to a Chiefs defense Sunday that has allowed 7.5 YPT (21st in the NFL) and just four touchdown catches to wide receivers in five games this season.”
St. Brown’s wrist injury was an oddity because he’s been one of the team’s healthiest and most consistent players. He’s only missed two games in his entire NFL career.
The Detroit Lions Are on Top
Going into Sunday’s game, the Detroit Lions are the No. 1 team in the NFL. How amazing is that? ESPN has released its power rankings for all of the NFL teams heading into Week 6. In the Tuesday, October 7 piece, they have the Detroit Lions on top, and they deserve it.
Eric Woodyard of ESPN notes, “After his first 1,000-yard season in 2024, (Jameson) Williams has started slowly in 2025. He hasn’t logged more than 50 receiving yards in four of the Lions’ five games, as he works to get in sync with veteran quarterback Jared Goff and overcome dropped passes.”
He adds, “Williams is viewed as a risky option because he’s averaging only 7.9 fantasy points per game in PPR leagues. He hasn’t turned limited targets into production or delivered consistently this season — but he can still make big plays.”
That should give the Lions some confidence going into Sunday’s game against the Chiefs. But, with the Chiefs’ latest loss, they’ll be hung
Al Horford Predicted to Replicate Key Celtics Role on Warriors
New Golden State Warriors center Al Horford was integral to the Boston Celtics’ on-court success, but his contributions extended beyond the court. Horford was the locker room leader and served as a mentor to his teammates, most of whom entered the NBA more than a decade after he turned pro in 2007.
NBC Sports Bay Area’s Dalton Johnson believes Horford can play a similar role on a Warriors team that has several younger players in bench roles.
“Horford, 39 years old, in his own ways will have influence over the few young players on the Warriors, most notably for 25-year-old centers Quinten Post and Trayce Jackson-Davis,” wrote Johnson.
“Plus, any help at center is a win for Draymond Green and his health for a full season. Horford also brings something the Warriors have never had at his position.”
Al Horford Fill Huge Void
To Johnson’s point, Horford, who made 1.9 threes per game last season, will perform the role of a stretch 5 — a luxury the Warriors have never had in the Steve Kerr era. Golden State has had several rim runners and lob threats over the years — but never a reliable floor-spacing center who can consistently knock down shots.
“He now has made the fourth-most threes (877) by a center in NBA history, behind only Karl-Anthony Towns, Brook Lopez and Nikola Vučević, in that order,” Johnson wrote. “Horford has made at least 100 threes in each of the last three seasons while connecting on 40.9 percent of them.
“This past season he only played 60 games, a career low for a full season, yet still made his second-most threes (114) and also attempted his second most (314).”
Celtics Teammates Idolized Him
During his time with the Celtics, Horford was beloved for his leadership both on and off the court. In the lead-up to the 2025 playoffs, Jayson Tatum spoke glowingly about Horford’s leadership, going as far as to suggest that Horford taught him to be a pro.
“Al showed me what it means to be a professional,” Tatum said of Horford, while reflecting on the Dominican’s role in mentoring him as a youngser in the NBA.
“Somebody that came to work every day. Had a routine, had a plan, whether it was a practice day, a game day or off day. That was so beneficial to me. When I was young, I just think I can show up, put my shoes on and get on the court. Al really showed me — not even by telling — just by watching him go through his routine. Al’s in year 18 and still [a] vital part of a championship team.”
Payton Pritchard, the reigning Sixth Man of the Year, said after the 2025 NBA playoffs that Horford’s role was irreplaceable in the locker room.
“You can’t replace Al,” Pritchard said. “I definitely hope we get that figured out because his locker room presence alone is just crucial. We definitely need him back.”
