Detroit Lions 2022 Injury Timeline

Saivion Smith’s Terrifying Play

A routine lunge during a contest left Saivion Smith temporarily paralyzed, forcing a lengthy game stoppage while an ambulance whisked him to the hospital. Miraculously, he regained full neurological function within seconds to minutes, yet later needed a spinal fusion to stabilize the injury. The Lions re‑signed him for the 2023 campaign, and he attended training camp, but he failed to crack the final roster. As of 2026, Smith has not appeared in an NFL game and is no longer part of the league.

Tracy Walker’s Season‑Ending Achilles

Team captain Tracy Walker ruptured his Achilles in Game 3, missing the remainder of the season and depriving the secondary of a key presence. The void created an opportunity for rookie safety Kerby Joseph to step into a starring role later in the year. Walker’s injury altered the trajectory of his career, as he played only one additional NFL season afterward. By early 2024, Walker had departed the 49ers and has not been signed to an NFL roster since, signaling the effective end of his professional career.

Kerby Joseph Emerges as a Superstar

With Walker’s season cut short, the Lions’ defensive backfield needed a new leader, and Joseph filled that role with standout performances. His rise helped offset the loss of Walker and became a bright spot in Detroit’s turnaround season. Joseph’s 2022 breakout set the foundation for future defensive depth. The player’s ascent is now a hallmark of the Lions’ rebuilding narrative.

Brian Branch’s Achilles Worry

Walker’s difficult recovery has cast a shadow over the outlook for fellow safety Brian Branch, who also faced an Achilles injury. Analysts point to the precedent set by Walker’s shortened career as a cautionary tale for Branch’s prognosis. For a deeper dive into Branch’s situation and potential comeback, the detailed injury analysis is available elsewhere. The Lions front office and fans alike are watching Branch’s progress with heightened scrutiny.

The 2022 season marked the start of Detroit’s remarkable resurgence, and the injuries to Smith, Walker, and the looming concern over Branch underscore how fragile a team’s progress can be. Each setback carried both immediate impact and longer‑term consequences, shaping the roster’s evolution and highlighting the importance of depth and health in a turnaround campaign. Fans continue to follow these stories as the Lions look to build on the breakthroughs sparked by the 2022 season.