Brandon Pettigrew Out Sunday; Calvin Johnson, Golden Tate Have Ankle Injuries
By Ashley Scoby
@AshleyScoby
Brandon Pettigrew will miss his fifth game of the season Sunday with knee and elbow injuries, although fellow tight end Eric Ebron is probable after returning to practice this week from a bruised knee.
Last week against Chicago, the Lions ended up with only one active tight end, in Tim Wright. Ebron was out, and Pettigrew suffered an undisclosed setback right before the game that knocked him out, too. Offensive tackle Cornelius Lucas was briefed on the position in the hour leading up to the game, and reported as an eligible receiver several times.
The Lions also cleared a spot on their roster this week – possibly leaving room to sign practice squad tight end Casey Pierce if necessary. To open up space, Detroit cut defensive tackle Ishmaa'ily Kitchen.
Also out for Sunday's game is linebacker DeAndre Levy, who had hip surgery this week after re-injuring what he said was a hip strain.
Cornerback Josh Wilson, who suffered a concussion sometime this week (although head coach Jim Caldwell refused to say whether it was during the Bears game, or at practice) is considered questionable for Sunday. He returned to practice Friday on a limited basis.
Starting running back Joique Bell is probable, as he fights back from a nagging ankle injury. He was a full participant in practice until Wednesday, but was limited Thursday. He returned as a full participant Friday.
Perhaps most concerning for the Lions is who showed up on the injury report later in the week. Both Calvin Johnson and Golden Tate were limited Friday with ankle injuries, although both are probable to play.
Theo Riddick has been limited all week with a groin injury, but is also probable.
Everyone else who has been on the injury report this week is probable: Josh Bynes (hip), James Ihedigbo (quad), Jason Jones (neck), Sam Martin (left knee), Haloti Ngata (calf) and Tahir Whitehead (shoulder).
