Jerry Jones, Martha Firestone Ford before Lions-Cowboys at Ford Field
Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones and former Detroit Lions owner Martha Firestone Ford talk before their teams clash on Dec. 4, 2025 at Ford Field.
CeeDee Lamb suffered a brain injury early in the third quarter Thursday night, and was quickly ruled out of the Dallas Cowboys’ 44-30 loss to the Detroit Lions in NFL Week 14.
Lamb, 26, was torching the Lions’ secondary, hauling in six catches for 121 yards and drawing two penalties on the opening drive of the third quarter before his injury, ruled a concussion, attempting to make an acrobatic catch in the end zone at Ford Field in Detroit.
Lions All-Pro receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown, who didn’t practice this week as he recovered from an ankle injury suffered in the Lions’ 31-24 loss to the Green Bay Packers on Thanksgiving Day, did surprise and suited up. He had 92 yards receiving on six catches.
The Lions lost safety Thomas Harper to injury in the first half, then saw Pro Bowl safety Brian Branch suffer a right ankle injury in the final minutes.
The Lions played without starting left guard Kayode Awosika, who was downgraded from questionable to out a few hours before kickoff.
After exiting the game slowly late in the fourth quarter, Branch was carted off the sideline with a right ankle injury and ruled questionable to return by the Lions.
Branch was in a boot and crutches after the game, according to the Free Press’ Carlos Monarrez, and coach Dan Campbell said he’ll know more Friday on the injury.
On a third-down stop in the red zone, Branch appeared hurt, receiving treatment in the end zone. He got up on his own power a few minutes later but limped off the field slowly, with his right leg appearing hurt.
We await updates on his injury status.
Following the Detroit kickoff, Lions running back and special teams player Sione Vaki appeared hurt. He eventually jogged off the field on his own power, and we await updates on his injury status.
Lamb nearly made a spectacular one-handed grab in the end zone early in the third quarter, but could not come down with the ball near the sideline. Lamb’s helmet slammed into the turf, and he was slow to get up in a scary situation where his hands assumed the fencing response, “an involuntary reaction to a high-force and high-speed blow to the head.” Lamb walked with trainers to the medical tent for a three-minute evaluation, and then to the locker room.
Lamb, who had six catches for 121 yards and drew two penalties on the drive before getting hurt, was quickly ruled out of the game with a brain injury (concussion).
“He was not pleased to no longer be available for this game,” sideline reporter Kaylee Hurtung said.
The Cowboys scored a touchdown on the possession to trim the Lions’ lead to 27-16.
Lions kicker Jake Bates returned to the game to hit a 47-yard field goal as time expired in the first half. He appears to be fine.
Lions kicker Jake Bates went to the locker room after suffering a hit from Lions linebacker Trevor Nowaske on the kickoff. He’s back on the sideline but still might be getting evaluated for injury.
Following evaluation for a concussion, Lions safety Thomas Harper has been ruled out of the game.
Following a completion from Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott to George Pickens, Lions safety Thomas Harper appeared hurt, taking a foot from Pickens to the head. After being attended to by trainers, he got up on his own power and walked off the field.
He is being evaluated under the concussion protocol. We await updates on his injury status.
The Cowboys listed six players on their inactives list, most notably defensive end Jadeveon Clowney, who has four sacks over nine games so far in 2025.
The Lions have six players listed on the inactive list, including safety Kerby Joseph and offensive lineman Kayode Awosika. It’s unclear who will start in Awosika’s place, though offensive lineman Trystan Colon could be an option now that starting center Graham Glasgow will be returning.
As previously reported, Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown is active and expected to play.
Per ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, Lions receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown will be playing against the Cowboys.
Lions injury report vs Cowboys
Wednesday’s Lions injury report for the Cowboys game listed the game status for injured players:
- S Kerby Joseph, knee (out).
- G Kayode Awosika, foot (out).
- WR Kalif Raymond, ankle (out).
- TE Brock Wright, neck (out).
- TE Shane Zylstra, knee (out).
- DB Brian Branch, toe/ankle (questionable).
- T Taylor Decker, shoulder (questionable).
- T Penei Sewell, shoulder (questionable).
- WR Amon-Ra St. Brown, ankle (questionable).
- RB Sione Vaki, thumb (questionable).
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You can reach Christian at cromo@freepress.com.
