Amon-Ra St. Brown diagnosed with minor ankle sprain in Week 13 defeat against Packers

During the first quarter of Detroit Lions' matchup against the Green Bay Packers, star wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown exited the field after sustaining an ankle injury. The incident occurred with about six minutes remaining in the opening quarter, prompting St. Brown to head straight to the locker room.

Fortunately, the injury is not severe. NFL Network reporter Ian Rapoport confirmed that an MRI revealed St. Brown suffered a low ankle sprain while blocking on a running play. Lions head coach Dan Campbell indicated on Thursday that St. Brown will not require placement on injured reserve and is expected to miss one to two weeks.

With a schedule allowing only a single game before Dec. 4 against the Dallas Cowboys, St. Brown will have adequate time to recover, as his status is essentially being monitored week-to-week.

The injury occurred on the Lions' second drive after a three-and-out on their opening possession. On the first play of the second drive, running back Jahmyr Gibbs ran to the right while St. Brown was assigned as a blocker. In the process of engaging Packers safety Xavier McKinney, a Lions offensive lineman accidentally collided with St. Browns legs. After a brief moment on the field, he limped off and was initially listed as questionable to return, but was ultimately ruled out shortly after halftime. He recorded one target during the game but did not make a catch.

With St. Brown sidelined, Detroit relied on other receivers to step up. Jameson Williams led the effort with seven receptions for 144 yards and a touchdown. Despite these contributions, the Lions were unable to overcome the Packers, falling 31-24 and dropping to a 7-5 record on the season. The defeat may complicate their path to winning the division, as Green Bay holds a 2-0 advantage in head-to-head matchups this year.

Commentary: A Closer Look at Amon-Ra St. Brown's Injury and Its Impact on the Lions

The injury to Amon-Ra St. Brown has raised concerns for the Detroit Lions, particularly considering the team’s playoff aspirations. While it’s a relief that the wide receiver’s ankle injury isn't as severe as initially feared, the absence of one of their star playmakers will be felt in the upcoming weeks. A low ankle sprain is no minor setback, and though St. Brown is expected to recover within a week or two, his absence creates uncertainty for a team already facing a tough schedule.

It is noteworthy that St. Brown's injury came at a critical juncture in the game, following a lackluster opening possession. The Lions' offense appeared to lose its rhythm without their top receiver, although Jameson Williams stepped up in his absence. Despite Williams' impressive performance, the team’s inability to overcome the Packers—who have now won both head-to-head matchups this season—has made the division race all the more challenging for Detroit. Their 7-5 record means that they need to bounce back quickly, with each upcoming game becoming increasingly important for their playoff hopes.

Moving forward, the Lions’ reliance on their receiving corps will increase. How well Detroit adapts to St. Brown's absence could determine their ability to maintain a competitive edge as the season enters its final stretch. While coach Dan Campbell’s optimism about St. Brown’s recovery is reassuring, it is clear that the team cannot afford to take any further setbacks lightly if they are to stay in the hunt for the division title.

Sources:

• Amon-Ra St. Brown confirmed to have sustained low-ankle sprain in Week 13 loss to Packers