Oct 11, 2026; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Detroit Lions defensive end DJ Wonnum (98) against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Oct 11, 2026; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Detroit Lions defensive end DJ Wonnum (98) against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
After the Detroit Lions entered this game fairly healthy, they find themselves currently down three total starters at halftime against the Minnesota Vikings.
Cade Mays, their starting center today, went down with an ankle injury and had to be carted off the field. Then, Brian Branch led helmet-first into DJ Wonnum, sending Branch to the locker room for a concussion check and Wonnum off the field on a cart for the same reason.
It didn't seem to alter too much of the Lions' defense, though, with D.J. Reed picking up an interception against Kyler Murray shortly after they left the field. On offense, the line held up nicely with Juice Scruggs in at center.
We'll keep this post updated with the latest news on all three starters, as the Lions are down 7-6 against the Vikings.
Last updated: Sunday, November 1, 2:50pm EST
Lions-Vikings injury updates: Mays, Branch, Wonnum all off the field
Branch and Wonnum, concussion protocol: OUT
Wonnum and Branch are both out after both entered concussion protocol, per Lions PR. Wonnum being down is a big blow to the Lions' pass rush in this game, as he's tied with Aidan Hutchinson for the most sacks on the team (5). In his absence, the Lions will need to give more burn to two rookies: Derrick Moore, and Skyler Gill-Howard. Gill-Howard has a sack on the day.
As for Branch, it's his first time experiencing an injury issue since returning last weekend for the Lions' defense. He didn't seem too worse for wear after this hit, and it felt like Wonnum was actually the one to get the brunt of the hit. He had to be carted off the field, while Branch walked off under his own power.
Mays, ankle: Questionable to return
Mays went down off-camera with a reported ankle injury, and is also questionable to return, per Lions PR. The Lions have the luxury of having already gotten plenty of starters snaps under the belt of Juice Scruggs prior to Mays' return to the starting rotation, and he slid back onto the line seamlessly.
It's still a blow as the Lions' pass blocking is imperative to their success in this game. Without effective pass blocking, they risk relying solely on their defense to generate turnovers and, eventually, points. Scruggs, at least, has been an effective pass blocker throughout this season. However, this lack of cohesion from the line overall threatens to disrupt a good thing going from this offense.