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Lions’ defense loses another player to injury vs. Cowboys

Originally posted on NFL on ClutchPoints
By Kendall Capps, ClutchPoints | Last updated Dec 4, 2025 8:43 PM ET

The Detroit Lions entered Thursday Night Football against the Dallas Cowboys extremely banged up. They are without their Pro Bowl tight end, Sam LaPorta, his backup Brock Wright, and wide receiver Kalif Raymond. But that’s just the offense.

The defense was in an even more precarious position, with several crucial players, including Terrion Arnold and Kerby Joseph, out of action.

Early in the first quarter of a crucial game against the Cowboys, things got worse for the Lions’ defense.

Free safety Thomas Harper left the game with a head injury. He appeared woozy after trying to make a tackle on Cowboys’ receiver George Pickens. Pickens made the catch and turned upfield, as Harper took a knee to the head. In typical Pickens fashion, the talented wide receiver appeared to make light of the injury after making an 11-yard reception.

Lions' Thomas Harper exited the field after colliding with George Pickens on this play. pic.twitter.com/NGElxyKhD7

— TSN (@TSN_Sports) December 5, 2025

Harper stepped into the starting unit with Joseph’s injury at free safety. He is questionable to return.

The second-year player out of Notre Dame is in his first year with Detroit. He was drafted and played with the Las Vegas Raiders as a rookie in 2024.

The Lions have had a turbulent 2025 season. At times, they look like one of the best teams in the NFL. Other times, they look out-classed by the New York Giants. A big part of that has been the injury bug.

That is reinforced by the fact that Detroit is yet to lose two straight games. On the flip side, they haven’t won back-to-back games since Week 5 against the Cincinnati Bengals.

This article first appeared on NFL on ClutchPoints and was syndicated with permission.

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