Just days before Detroit hosts Green Bay in a crucial Thanksgiving showdown, the Lions received troubling news: one of Jared Goff’s most reliable offensive weapons wasn’t able to participate in practice.

Kalif Raymond’s Injury Interrupts Jared Goff’s Near-Flawless Season

Detroit’s push for the NFC North crown hit an unexpected hurdle Monday when wide receiver and return specialist Kalif Raymond appeared on the injury report as a non-participant. The ankle injury occurred late in Detroit’s overtime win against the New York Giants.

For Jared Goff, who has orchestrated one of the NFL’s most efficient offenses this year, Raymond’s absence is a major complication. The veteran wideout brings versatility as a slot target, jet-sweep option, and top-tier punt returner — all elements that quietly drive the rhythm of Goff’s passing game. With the short week before Thursday’s matchup, Goff could be forced to adjust quickly.

Detroit’s Offensive Flow Disrupted by Raymond’s Ankle Issue

Goff entered Week 12 riding a franchise-record streak — 17 straight games with a passing touchdown — and put up 279 yards and two scores in the win over New York. But the price was heavy: Raymond caught both of his targets for 37 yards before landing awkwardly after a contested grab in the third quarter. He stayed down, was listed as questionable, and then was ruled out completely.

Head coach Dan Campbell didn’t sugarcoat the impact.

“Kalif’s the guy who does the dirty work that makes Jared’s life easier,” Campbell said via the Detroit Free Press. “Losing him is not something you can replace on the fly.”

Monday’s estimated injury report confirmed the setback: Raymond did not practice. RotoWire echoed the severity, noting he was “questionable to return” after exiting Sunday’s game.

Raymond’s absence affects more than route-running — his motion and alignment help open up spacing for Detroit’s run-pass options. The Lions, who average 29.8 points per game, rely heavily on his production: 22 catches, 312 yards, two touchdowns, and one of the NFL’s most dangerous punt-return averages at 10.2 yards.

Campbell Preaches Patience While Goff Faces a Fast Turnaround

In his Monday presser, Campbell urged caution as the team navigates the short week.

“We’ll watch Kalif closely — we can’t push him on a short turnaround,” Campbell said, per USA Today’s Lions Wire. “He’s got that burst nobody else has. He’s the spark for us and for Jared. Hopefully he heals fast, because we need him.”

Raymond’s pre-snap motion has fueled 14 explosive plays for Goff over the past few weeks, per Next Gen Stats. Without him, Goff may need to rely even more on Amon-Ra St. Brown (68 receptions, 892 yards) and Jameson Williams, though Green Bay’s top-10 pass defense will almost certainly adjust to the shift.

Goff himself spoke candidly after Sunday’s win:

“Kalif’s suddenness opens everything for me,” he told the Detroit News. “He’s not just a receiver — he flips the field on returns, he draws coverage, he creates matchups. Losing him on a short week hurts.”

Detroit enters Thursday at 8–4, clinging to a slim division lead. Facing a Packers defense allowing just 18.2 points per game, this is not the situation Goff hoped for.

With Raymond uncertain, Detroit may turn to third-round rookie Isaac TeSlaa, who is coming off a hand injury but could see expanded snaps, per CBS Sports. Campbell confirmed the possibility:

“If Kalif can’t go, TeSlaa is next behind St. Brown and Jamo.”

TeSlaa has shown promise — four receptions, 65 yards, two touchdowns — but he lacks Raymond’s special-teams ability and game-breaking speed. That means Goff may face longer fields and fewer easy completions that rely on Raymond’s movement pre-snap.

Goff Has Overcome Adversity Before — But This Test Is Different

Goff has bounced back from rough outings before. After a 14-for-37 disaster in Week 11’s loss to Philadelphia — compounded by Raymond leaving with cramps — he responded with the strong Week 12 performance.

Campbell praised the QB’s resilience: “He’s our steady hand.”

Still, analysts like RotoWire’s Jeff Edgerton warned that Raymond’s mid-game exit exposed a lack of depth:

“Without Raymond’s underneath security, Jared Goff’s target pool tightens considerably.”