Injury Updates for Browns, Lions
By Peter Smith
Sep 29, 2013; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson (81) stands on the sidelines during the third quarter against the Chicago Bears at Ford Field. The Lions won 40-32. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports
As the Cleveland Browns prepare for their game against the Detroit Lions and most of the injury news has been pretty good. They have depth at the spots they are missing players that have been able to fill in without a huge drop off to this point and get some talented young players some valuable experience such as the case with Armonty Bryant this past week, who got his first sack. Barkevious Mingo continues to grow and while he makes mistakes, he makes splash plays as well. The Browns will be in significantly better shape than the Lions who are doing everything possible to help get Calvin Johnson on the field this week.
Desmond Bryant is fine and participating fully after the shortness of breath that caused him to miss the end of the Bills game. They are using medication to treat it. Jabaal Sheard (knee) and Quentin Groves (ankle) are working to come back, but are still limited in practice. They will likely be game time decisions but if either can play, it would be a nice boost to the rotation. John Hughes was questionable but played last week and he is fully participating this week, which is good, although Billy Winn is still out of practice and likely going to be out this week. Chris Ogbannaya is fully participating as well.
For the Lions, Calvin Johnson is participating but limited and is expected to be a game time decision. Wide Receiver Nate Burleson is out while tight end Tony Scheffler, running back Theo Riddick, right tackle Jason Fox, and linebacker Ashlee Palmer were all unable to practice. Both of the Lions’ starting safeties, Louis Delmas and Glover Quin are limited in practice. Of those, only Palmer and Riddick are not starters or featured players for the Lions.
The Lions might be willing to give up all of those other players if it meant getting Calvin Johnson back to 100% for this week. More than any other player in the league, Johnson’s status will be closely monitored all the way up until kickoff and the expectations for who will win this game will be almost entirely based off of his status.