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Brandon Pettigrew Out For Season With Torn ACL

By Ashley Scoby
@AshleyScoby

It wasn't just playoff chances or a game that the Lions lost on Sunday in St. Louis - tight end Brandon Pettigrew tore his ACL and is out for the rest of the season, head coach Jim Caldwell announced.

"I'm saddened by that because of the fact that he's such a warrior and has done a tremendous job for us, tough guy, great leader and he's just had some difficulty," Caldwell said. "He's had a couple of them now, I guess three total, so he knows how to fight back, that's for sure."

Pettigrew previously tore the same ACL during his rookie year in 2009. This season, he has seven catches for 67 yards and a touchdown.

Pettigrew, at 280 pounds, is the team's premier blocking tight end and is not exactly easily replaceable. The only other tight ends on the roster are last year's first-round draft pick, Eric Ebron, who has often struggled with blocking assignments, and Tim Wright, who was signed earlier this season.

There have been two games this season where the Lions ended up with only one healthy, active tight end on game day.

When asked if the team would need to sign another tight end to the 53-man roster, Caldwell said the possibility was being evaluated.

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