The Detroit Lions will play the Miami Dolphins on Sunday without five regulars, including linebacker Jack Campbell and cornerback D.J. Reed, and with receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown listed as questionable, according to the final injury report the team released Friday, Nov. 6.
The Lions (5-2) face the Dolphins (1-6) at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Fla., where kickoff is set for 1 p.m. ET on CBS. The list tests Detroit’s depth on every level of the defense and in the middle of the offensive line, a week before the team travels to Germany for a game against New England. For Detroit fans, the report answers the question that matters most before Sunday: who will actually be on the field as the Lions try for a fourth straight win.
Who is out for the Lions against the Dolphins
Five players were ruled out on the Lions’ official injury report. Four of them did not practice at all during the week, and the team noted that its Wednesday participation was estimated because the session was a walkthrough.
| Player | Position | Injury | Practice this week | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jack Campbell | LB | Neck | Did not practice all week | Out |
| Kerby Joseph | S | Knee | Limited all week | Out |
| Cade Mays | C | Ankle | Did not practice all week | Out |
| D.J. Reed | CB | Hip | Did not practice all week | Out |
| DJ Wonnum | EDGE | Concussion | Did not practice all week | Out |
| Amon-Ra St. Brown | WR | Rib | Limited all week | Questionable |
| Jacob Saylors | RB | Neck | Limited all week | Questionable |
| Sione Vaki | RB | Ankle | Added Friday, did not practice | Questionable |
Campbell’s absence draws the most attention. The linebacker issued a statement through the team on Nov. 4 saying he had full movement in his lower body and was making progress with his upper body. Miami coach Jeff Hafley addressed the injury at his Wednesday news conference, saying, “We are thinking of him and praying for him and for the Lions,” according to an article by Tim Twentyman on the Lions’ website.
Joseph practiced on a limited basis all week but was still ruled out with a knee injury. Our profile of Kerby Joseph explains why his range matters so much to Detroit’s secondary. With Reed also out, the Lions will be without two starters in the secondary.
Amon-Ra St. Brown is questionable
St. Brown was limited in all three practices with a rib injury and carries a questionable designation into the weekend. He told reporters Thursday that he was “a little banged up” but expected to be fine, according to a Pride of Detroit report cited by Heavy.
Two running backs are also questionable. Saylors was limited all week with a neck injury, and Vaki, who carried 11 times for 65 yards against Minnesota according to the team’s official podcast, was added to the report on Friday with an ankle injury after missing practice. NFL teams announce their inactive players 90 minutes before kickoff, so the final word on all three is likely to come around 11:30 a.m. ET Sunday.
Brian Branch and two others are cleared
There was some good news. Defensive back Brian Branch, who was listed with a concussion, was limited Wednesday and then took part fully on Thursday and Friday. He carries no game designation, which means he is expected to be available. Linebacker Amen Ogbongbemiga (toe) and cornerback Rock Ya-Sin (cramps) also finished the week as full participants with no designation.
Branch’s return gives the defense a versatile piece at a moment when it is short at safety and cornerback. The team’s podcast named Derrick Barnes, Ahmed Hassanein and Derrick Moore among the players who could see larger roles with the starters out.
What it means for Sunday in Miami
Detroit enters on a three-game winning streak after beating Minnesota, 19-15, at Ford Field on Nov. 1. Miami has lost six of seven, most recently 24-19 to New England. The Dolphins have also had trouble getting to the quarterback: asked about a pass rush that had a league-low nine sacks, Hafley said it was getting home “probably not consistently enough,” according to the Lions’ website.
That matters for a Lions offense playing without its starting center. Mays’ absence puts more weight on the interior of the line. On Miami’s side, Athlon Sports reported that running back Jaylen Wright was among the players listed as questionable after being limited Friday.
What remains unknown is how long Campbell, Joseph and Reed will be sidelined. The team has not given a timeline for any of them.
How to watch, and what’s next
- Game: Lions (5-2) at Dolphins (1-6), Sunday, Nov. 8, 1 p.m. ET, Hard Rock Stadium.
- TV: CBS (WWJ-TV, channel 62, in Detroit). Our guide to watching Lions vs. Dolphins covers streaming and radio.
- Next game: vs. New England Patriots in Munich, Sunday, Nov. 15, 9:30 a.m. ET on FOX. Every date is in the 2026 Detroit Lions schedule.
Game-day checklist for Lions fans
- About 11:30 a.m. ET: check the Lions’ inactive list on detroitlions.com or the team’s social accounts to see whether St. Brown, Saylors and Vaki are active.
- Before kickoff: make sure CBS (channel 62 in Detroit) comes in on your antenna or streaming service; our Lions vs. Dolphins viewing guide lists every option.
- 1 p.m. ET: watch who lines up at center, linebacker and in the secondary, where the five absences hit hardest.
- Next week: watch for the team’s first injury report for the Munich game against New England.
Lions injury report FAQs
Is Amon-Ra St. Brown playing against the Dolphins?
He is questionable with a rib injury after three limited practices. The team’s inactive list, released about 90 minutes before the 1 p.m. ET kickoff, will settle it.
Who is out for the Lions on Sunday?
Linebacker Jack Campbell, safety Kerby Joseph, center Cade Mays, cornerback D.J. Reed and edge rusher DJ Wonnum were ruled out on the Nov. 6 report.
Is Brian Branch playing?
Branch practiced fully on Thursday and Friday and has no injury designation, so he is expected to play.
What channel is the Lions game on?
CBS, which is WWJ-TV on channel 62 in metro Detroit, at 1 p.m. ET Sunday.
Last updated Nov. 7, 2026. Sources: Detroit Lions injury report (Nov. 6); detroitlions.com game listings, Week 9 opponent article and official podcast; Detroit Sports Nation; Heavy (via Yahoo Sports); Athlon Sports (via Yahoo Sports).
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