Injury Report: Lance Moore Out, Other Receivers Ailing For Lions
By Danny Cox
If the Detroit Lions are going to continue their winning streak and get it to four games, then they're going to have to beat a struggling Green Bay Packers team desperate for a win. They're also going to have to do it with a group of wide receivers that are all dealing with injuries.
For Thursday night's game, Lance Moore is definitely out, but he's the only Lion listed as so. An ankle injury kept him off of the practice field all week and he won't be able to go. The other two top receivers for Detroit are also listed on this week's injury report. Golden Tate is listed as probable with a calf injury as he was limited on Monday, but ended up being a full-go at practice on both Tuesday and Wednesday. He'll be ready to start on Thursday. Now, Calvin Johnson is listed as questionable, and he should be able to play, but the Lions may want to be a bit cautious with him. Johnson was limited on Monday and Wednesday, and his ankle injury kept him from practicing at all on Tuesday. This injury has been nagging him for weeks, and it just doesn't seem to be getting any better.
Five other Lions are marked as questionable including safety Glover Quin (ankle) and defensive tackle Caraun Reid (ankle). Offensively, the Lions have guard Larry Warford (concussion) and center Travis Swanson (ankle) also questionable, but they should all be able to play. Some may end up being game-time decisions, but if they do start, they'll probably be rotated in and out more than they're used to. Kicker Matt Prater is also questionable for Thursday's game with the Packers due to an illness that has plagued him all this week. The spot-on kicker has hit all 14 field goals he's attempted this season, but the illness did keep him out of practice this entire week.
A win against the Green Bay Packers is one that the Detroit Lions could really use. It's incredibly possible, even with all the injuries. Matthew Stafford may need to improvise a bit with his top three receivers all ailing, but the team has the tools and the talent to get it done on Thursday night.
Probable:
James Ihedigbo, S (hamstring)
Golden Tate, WR (calf)
Gabe Wright, DT (ankle)
Questionable:
Calvin Johnson, WR (ankle)
Matt Prater, K (illness)
Glover Quin, S (ankle)
Caraun Reid, DT (ankle)
Travis Swanson, C (ankle)
Larry Warford, G (concussion)
Out:
Lance Moore, WR (ankle)
Danny Cox knows a little something about the NFL, whether it means letting you know what penalty will come from the flag just thrown on the field or quickly spouting off who the Chicago Bears drafted in the first round of the 1987 draft (Jim Harbaugh). He plans on bringing you the best news, previews, recaps, and anything else that may come along with the exciting world of the National Football League. Danny is a freelance writer covering all things NFL. His work can be found on Examiner.com.
