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Detroit Lions to play starters vs. Vikings; C.J. Gardner-Johnson, Alim McNeill could return

dave birkett, detroit free press
·2 min read
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The Detroit Lions likely will be the 3 seed when the NFC playoffs open next week, but even with little to play for, head coach Dan Campbell said he plans to play his starters in Sunday's regular season finale at Ford Field against the Minnesota Vikings (1 p.m., Fox).

"That’s the plan right now, is play our guys," Campbell said.

The San Francisco 49ers (12-4) have clinched the No. 1 seed in the NFC playoffs and a first-round bye, and the winner of the NFC East — either the Dallas Cowboys or Philadelphia Eagles — likely will be the 2 seed.

Both the Cowboys and Eagles own tiebreakers with the Lions when it comes to playoff seeding, so the Lions (11-5) would need both teams to lose Sunday in order to move up in the standings.

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Lions running back David Montgomery celebrates a touchdown against the Cowboys with quarterback Jared Goff during the second half of the Lions' 20-19 loss at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas on Saturday, Dec. 30, 2023.
Lions running back David Montgomery celebrates a touchdown against the Cowboys with quarterback Jared Goff during the second half of the Lions' 20-19 loss at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas on Saturday, Dec. 30, 2023.

The Cowboys (11-5) visit the Washington Commanders next week, while the Eagles (11-5) play the New York Giants.

Along with their starters, the Lions could get three key players back from injury this week: Safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson, defensive tackle Alim McNeill and fullback Jason Cabinda.

Gardner-Johnson has not played since tearing his pectoral muscle in a Week 2 loss to the Seattle Seahawks, but has practiced with the team for two weeks. McNeill has been on injured reserve since spraining his MCL in early December, but told the Free Press he expects to return to practice and this week. And the Lions activated Cabinda from injured reserve last week, but waived him a day later as part of roster shuffling before Saturday's loss to the Cowboys.

Campbell said he hopes to re-sign Cabinda this week.

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Detroit Lions safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson (2) celebrates a play against Green Bay Packers on the sideline during the second half at Ford Field in Detroit on Thursday, Nov. 23, 2023.
Detroit Lions safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson (2) celebrates a play against Green Bay Packers on the sideline during the second half at Ford Field in Detroit on Thursday, Nov. 23, 2023.

"Love to C.J. involved, love to get Mac involved, love to get Cabinda involved," he said. "It’s Monday. But just tentatively that’s in my head."

Campbell also said receiver Jameson Williams is "day-to-day" with a minor ankle injury he suffered late in the Cowboys game.

Contact Dave Birkett at dbirkett@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @davebirkett.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Dan Campbell: Detroit Lions to play starters vs. Minnesota Vikings