Harper (concussion) has been ruled out ahead of Sunday's game against the Bears.
Harper upgraded to a limited participant in Thursday's practice but will be unable to make the jump to full participation and clear the league's concussion protocol in time for Sunday's divisional showdown. With Jalen Mills likely set to start at free safety for the Lions in Sunday's contest, Harper ends the season with 37 tackles (26 solo) and five passes defensed, including one interception, over 12 games.
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Lions' Thomas Harper: Back at practice Thursday
Rotowire
Harper (concussion) was a limited participant at practice Thursday.
Harper was able to make his return to practice for the first time since suffering a concussion Christmas Day against the Vikings. The safety will still have to clear concussion protocol in order to play Sunday against the Bears, but his participation Thursday was a step in the right direction.
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Lions' Thomas Harper: Sits out practice Wednesday
Rotowire
Harper (concussion) didn't participate in practice Wednesday.
Harper was diagnosed with a concussion during last Thursday's Christmas Day game against the Vikings. He'll need to clear the NFL's five-step concussion protocol to have a chance of suiting up Sunday versus Chicago. If Harper can't play, Jalen Mills could absorb most of his defensive snaps.
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Lions' Thomas Harper: Evaluated for possible concussion
Rotowire
Harper (head) is being evaluated for a concussion during Thursday's matchup against the Vikings.
Harper won't be able to return to action Thursday if he's officially placed in the NFL's concussion protocol. Jalen Mills and Daniel Thomas will both be candidates to handle expanded roles on defense if Harper is not cleared to retake the field Christmas Day.
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Lions' Thomas Harper: Set to start
Rotowire
Harper (concussion) doesn't carry an injury designation ahead of Sunday's game against the Steelers.
Harper was a full participant in practice this week and has officially cleared concussion protocol. The free safety has avoided an injury designation just in time to take up the mantle of starting free safety from an injured Kerby Joseph (knee). Harper's last starting opportunity was in Week 13 against the Packers, when he totaled four tackles (one solo) through 58 defensive snaps.
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Lions' Thomas Harper: Full practice Wednesday
Rotowire
Harper (concussion) was a Richard Silva of The Detroit News in Wednesday's practice.
It's unclear if Harper remains in the league's concussion protocol, but it appears he has a good chance to suit up Sunday against the Steelers after missing last Sunday's loss to the Rams. With Brian Branch (Achilles) out and Kerby Joseph dealing with a knee injury, Harper could be in line for heavy snaps on defense against Pittsburgh.
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Lions' Thomas Harper: Logs limited session Wednesday
Rotowire
Harper (concussion) logged a limited practice Wednesday.
Harper suffered a concussion in Detroit's Week 14 win over Dallas, so it's no surprise that he was limited to begin the week. He'll have to work through concussion protocol before being cleared to play Sunday against the Rams, which will likely require at least one full practice session.
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Lions' Thomas Harper: Done for night
Rotowire
Harper (concussion) has been ruled out for the rest of Thursday night's matchup with the Cowboys, Greg Auman of Fox Sports reports.
Harper sustained a concussion in the first quarter, and he will now be forced to sit out the remainder of the night. Daniel Thomas will continue to operate in a more significant role at safety in Harper's absence versus Dallas.
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Lions' Thomas Harper: Picks off Winston in Week 12
Rotowire
Harper tallied six total tackles (five solo) and two passes defensed, including one interception, in Sunday's 34-27 overtime win over the Giants.
The second-year pro from Notre Dame made an impact while starting in place of the injured Kerby Joseph (knee) in Week 12, picking off Jameis Winston in the fourth quarter. Harper has now started five games in a row for the Lions, recording 22 total tackles and three passes defensed, including an interception, during that span. He could remain the starter at free safety if Joseph is unable to return for the Week 13 matchup against the Packers on Thursday.
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Raiders' Thomas Harper: Makes 26 stops in rookie year
Rotowire
Harper racked up 26 tackles (13 solo), including 0.5 sacks, across 15 regular-season appearances with the Raiders in 2024. He also had two passes defensed, one interception and one fumble recovery.
Harper played mostly on special teams to begin his rookie campaign, but after the Raiders' bye in Week 10 he handled a consistent depth role on defense. With two years remaining on his contract with the team, Harper will spend the offseason working to continue his development.
