The Detroit Lions have opted to retain veteran quarterback Teddy Bridgewater as the backup to Jared Goff for their upcoming playoff game against the Washington Commanders, choosing him over Hendon Hooker. Bridgewater, who was signed recently after a stint coaching at his high school, has been Goff's backup for most of the season, albeit rarely used. Hooker will serve as the emergency quarterback in this crucial matchup.

The Lions are facing significant injury challenges, having ruled out several key players including rookie cornerback Ennis Rakestraw and starting right guard Kevin Zeitler. The Commanders, meanwhile, activated tight end Colson Yankoff from injured reserve and elevated two players from the practice squad to bolster their lineup.

The Detroit Lions will face significant challenges in their upcoming divisional round matchup against the Washington Commanders as starting right guard Kevin Zeitler has been ruled out due to a hamstring injury. Zeitler suffered this injury during the regular-season finale against the Minnesota Vikings on January 5. His absence is a considerable blow to the Lions' offensive line, which will need to adjust with either rookie Christian Mahogany or Kayode Awosika stepping into the starting role.

In addition to Zeitler, the Lions will be without defensive lineman Pat O’Connor, who is dealing with a calf injury. Cornerback Ennis Rakestraw is questionable as he grapples with a hamstring issue along with an illness, leaving the Lions with a few uncertainties heading into Saturday night’s game. Coach Dan Campbell remains optimistic about his team's prospects despite these setbacks, expressing confidence in the backups.

The Commanders, on the other hand, are likely to field a full-strength team, including six-time All-Pro linebacker Bobby Wagner, who has overcome an ankle injury that sidelined him for practice earlier in the week. Wagner, who played a pivotal role in the team’s wild-card victory against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, has downplayed any concerns regarding his health, focusing instead on the upcoming game. Rookie linebacker Jordan Magee has been ruled out due to a hamstring issue, while linebacker Mykal Walker and rookie tight end Colson Yankoff are both listed as questionable due to illness and injury respectively. Meanwhile, kicker Zane Gonzalez, who secured the win against Tampa Bay with a last-second field goal, is expected to play despite earlier concerns regarding his hip injury.

The Detroit Lions face a significant setback as they prepare to host the Washington Commanders in the divisional round, with starting right guard Kevin Zeitler sidelined due to a hamstring injury. Zeitler's injury prevented him from participating in the regular-season finale against Minnesota, and he has been officially ruled out for the upcoming game. Additionally, defensive lineman Pat O’Connor is also out with a calf injury, while cornerback Ennis Rakestraw’s participation remains uncertain due to a combination of a hamstring issue and illness.

In Zeitler's absence, the Lions may turn to rookie Christian Mahogany or Kayode Awosika to fill the gap on the offensive line. Mahogany, a sixth-round draft pick, has seen limited action this season, starting only one game out of seven appearances. Despite the challenges, Lions coach Dan Campbell expressed confidence in the team's ability to adapt, stating, “We feel like we’re in good hands.”

On the other side, the Commanders appear to be nearly at full strength, with six-time All-Pro linebacker Bobby Wagner set to return after a brief absence due to an ankle injury. Wagner participated in limited practice leading up to the game and assured reporters that he feels prepared to play, although he remained cryptic about the specifics of his injury, emphasizing the need to focus on the game against the Lions.