On Sunday, the Detroit Lions announced that four players have been placed on injured reserve ahead of training camp. Defensive back Brian Branch, defensive linemen DJ Reader and Marcus Davenport have all been placed on the physically unfit to perform (PUP) list. Meanwhile, rookie offensive tackle Giovanni Manu has been placed on the non-football injury (NFI) list.
It’s no surprise that Branch, Reader and Davenport are starting on the eligibility list, as all three were limited or absent during spring training. Branch is dealing with a foot injury that forced him to wear a boot and scooter during the draft. Reader suffered a torn quadriceps last season and coach Dan Campbell even suggested he would miss some time in camp. Davenport was absent for spring training after missing most of 2023 with a high ankle sprain.
Manu is an interesting addition to the group. He didn’t appear to be limited in the spring, but remember that a “non-football injury” designation means the injury occurred either outside of a football environment or in college.
It is also important to remember that even though these players are on the injured list, they can be removed at any time. Often, players are only on the list for a few days or weeks before joining the team on the practice field. Once training camp begins, the Lions are not allowed to add new players to the PUP or NFI lists.
If a player remains on the PUP or NFI list at the start of the regular season, teams have three options: activate, trade/release, or place on the reserve/PUP or NFI list. If the team chooses the latter option, the player will miss at least four games.
Given that some veterans have yet to report on Tuesday, it is possible that this list will grow.
