The Lions will be without running back Kerryon Johnson for one or two games with a knee sprain, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). All things considered, it’s not a terrible outcome since there was fear of a more serious injury at first.
Johnson will be sidelined for this year’s Thanksgiving Day matchup against the Bears, but he’ll have a puncher’s chance at suiting up for the club’s Dec. 2 game against the Rams. At worst, it sounds like Johnson will be on the field for Dec. 9 against the Cardinals. Without Johnson, the Lions are expected to lean on a committee of LeGarrette Blount, Theo Riddick, and Zach Zenner.
Johnson has managed 5.4 yards per carry on 118 attempts so far during his rookie season and also ranks seventh in Football Outsiders’ success rate, meaning he’s effective at keeping the Lions’ offense on schedule. The second-round pick out of Auburn has averaged 5.4 yards per tote and has also reeled in 32 grabs for 213 yards. In total, he has four all-purpose touchdowns and has clearly emerged as the best running back in the Lions’ group.
The Lions edged the Panthers 20-19 on Sunday, keeping their slim playoff hopes alive. At 4-6, they’ll need wins in the next two games – with or without Johnson – in order to keep things afloat.
Another gift for the Bears
The Bears have the best turnover ratio (+13) in the league so they seem to be capable of creating their own luck. Having said that, they’ve lost 5 straight in Detroit and haven’t won on Thanksgiving Day there since 1993. Should be a good game.
They have not lost five straight since two weeks ago
He wrote in Detroit. It’s called reading.
How? The Lions suck!
The only question is will Chicago win by 30 or 38. This should be a blood bath.
Lions showed some grit against the Panthers and 5 of the past 7 meetings against the Bears were decided by 4 points or less. The blood bath for Detroit probably occurs the week after Thanksgiving when they face the Rams.