Detroit Lions fans will still have to wait at least another week to see the 2019 debut of defensive lineman Da’Shawn Hand.
Hand missed the team's first five games due to an elbow injury suffered in the first week of training camp. He is inactive again today for Detroit's game vs. Minnesota. He was listed as questionable on Friday's injury report, and did practice in full Friday, but that elbow just isn't to a point yet where he can go through the rigors of a whole game.
The Lions have missed Hand's versatility and ability to rush the passer from anywhere along their defensive front the first five weeks. He finished last year as Pro Football Focus' top rookie interior lineman.
Detroit entered the game with five players listed as questionable – Tackle Rick Wagner (knee), cornerback Darius Slay (hamstring), Hand (elbow), safety Quandre Diggs (hamstring) and fullback Nick Bawden (back). Only Hand is inactive.
That means Diggs is back in the starting lineup at safety after missing Monday night's game in Green Bay because of a hamstring injury. The Lions missed his production Monday. He was the only defensive back in football last year to finish with at least 75 tackles, three interceptions, three tackles for loss and a pick-six.
The Lions ruled out defensive tackle Mike Daniels (foot) and cornerback Amani Oruwariye (knee) on Friday. Joining Hand, Daniels and Oruwariye on Detroit's inactive list today are: Quarterback David Blough, guard Oday Aboushi, guard Beau Benzschawel and running back Tra Carson.
