Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell could be in hot water with the NFL following revelations from wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown about his injuries during the 2023 season.
St. Brown disclosed in the premiere episode of Netflix’s new series “Receiver” that he played through a torn oblique muscle early in the season, relying on painkillers to participate in a crucial game against the Green Bay Packers. The controversy stems from the Lions’ failure to list St. Brown’s injury on the official team injury report leading up to that game, a requirement under NFL rules to ensure fair competition.
This oversight raises the possibility of disciplinary action against Campbell and the Lions organization. The NFL strictly mandates that all player injuries and illnesses be accurately reported to prevent any potential advantage or misinformation for opponents.
Recent precedents underline the seriousness of such infractions. Last season, the Atlanta Falcons were fined $75,000 for failing to report an illness affecting running back Bijan Robinson ahead of a game, with head coach Arthur Smith personally fined $25,000 in that case.
Despite playing through his injury against the Packers, St. Brown’s performance was notable, recording five catches for 56 yards and scoring a touchdown. Subsequently, he was appropriately listed on the injury report the following week, ultimately missing the game against the Carolina Panthers.
Dan Campbell, who took over as head coach of the Lions in 2021, has been pivotal in the team’s ongoing resurgence. Under his leadership, the Lions have seen significant improvements, accumulating 21 regular-season victories and positioning themselves as a team on the rise in the NFC.
The situation involving St. Brown’s injury and the subsequent fallout will likely test the Lions’ transparency and adherence to league regulations as they navigate potential repercussions from the NFL.