The Detroit Lions’ season-ending 45-31 loss to the Washington Commanders on Saturday was exacerbated by a gruesome injury to cornerback Amik Robertson.
The injury was so bad that the 26-year-old Louisiana native needed to be rushed to a Detroit-area hospital, where it was determined he would require surgery.
But it was the horrific sH๏τ of Robertson’s mangled left arm that left onlookers shuttering during the Commanders’ stunning upset of the top-seeded Lions on Saturday.
Robertson was attempting to wrangle Commanders receiver Terry McLaurin to the turf on Washington’s first offensive series, but came into contact with teammate Jack Campbell and landed awkwardly as a result. Campbell ultimately dragged McLaurin down, but not until after Washington had the first down.
Detroit’s already depleted secondary would go on to surrender 299 yards and two touchdowns to Commanders rookie quarterback, Jayden Daniels.
‘That hurt us a bit, but [Kindle Vildor] came in and played well,’ Lions head coach Dan Campbell said during an emotional post-game press conference. ‘He competed for us.’
Amik Robertson L elbow/arm injury video-Deformity of L upper arm area. Concern for humerus fracture. pic.twitter.com/QvlwlzlLxE
— Jimmy Liao MD | Detroit Lions Morning Rounds (@JimmyLiaoMD) January 19, 2025 
Amik Robertson’s mangled left arm is seen after a first-quarter tackle went awry in Detroit
Detroit Lions corner back Amik Robertson (21) walks off the field ᴀssisted by trainers during the first quarter against the Washington Commanders at Ford Field
The injury was so bad that the 26-year-old Louisiana native needed to be rushed to a Detroit-area hospital, where it was determined he would require surgery
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Detroit’s injury-riddled defense gave up 481 yards – its third most this season – including 182 on the ground. Brian Robinson Jr. and Austin Ekeler combined for 124 yards on 21 carries and Daniels added 51 more.
Detroit didn’t sack Daniels – a problem it has had since losing Aidan Hutchinson to a broken leg in October. Hutchinson had been aiming to return in time for the Super Bowl.
The injuries didn’t explain the mental mistakes, though. Detroit was within 31-28 early in the fourth quarter and had the Commanders facing fourth-and-2 from the Lions 5. A stop could have changed the game – but the Lions were called for 12 men on the field. Two plays later, Robinson scored to make it 38-28.
Campbell took the blame for the play, but there was still time to rally until an inexplicable decision to have Jameson Williams throw a pᴀss to Jahmyr Gibbs. Williams looked tentative as he rolled right and threw into coverage. Rookie Mike Sainristil grabbed his second interception of the night and Washington ran 4:33 off the clock before scoring another touchdown that made it 45-28.
‘Obviously, I wish he had run the ball,’ Campbell said.
Last year, Campbell talked at length about how hard it is to get into position to win a Super Bowl, and how the 49ers loss might have cost the Lions their best chance.
This time, he couldn’t even address that topic.
‘This isn’t the time – this hurts too much,’ he said. ‘This isn’t the time to talk about our great season and all our wins. The whole point of playing is to get to the biggest game and we didn’t make it.’
