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The Lions have released 24-year old linebacker Zack Follett. Follett played in 5 games for the Lions last year with 21 tackles and 1 pass defensed. His season ended early due to a neck injury. Follett played in 17 games in his two years with the Lions and he had 31 tackles, 1 pass defensed and 1 fumble recovery. His neck was still burning in training camp, so the Lions released him for his own good.
The Lions have placed 29-year old linebacker Landon Johnson on the Injured Reserve List ending his season due to a concussion. Johnson played in 12 games for the Lions this year and he had 48 tackles and 3 forced fumbles. Johnson has now played in 101 games in his first seven years in the NFL and he has 480 tackles, 13 passes defensed, 3.5 sacks, 11 forced fumbles and 1 interception.
The Lions have finally placed 22-year old QB Matt Stafford on I.R. ending his season due to a shoulder injury. Stafford played in 3 games for the Lions this year and he completed 57 of 96 passes (59.4%) for 535 yards with 6 TD passes and 1 INT (91.3 QB Rating). He also carried the ball 4 times for 11 yards (2.8 ypc) with 1 TD grab this year. Stafford has now played in 13 games in his first two years with the Lions and he has completed 258 of 473 passes (54.5%) for 2,802 yards with 19 TD passes and 21 INTs (67.1 QB Rating). He also carried the ball 24 times for 119 yards (5.0 ypc) with 3 TD runs in his career. The Lions really hope that Stafford can stay healthy in 2011 and beyond because he really looked solid this year when he played.
QB Drew Stanton suffered a separated left shoulder during last week’s game against the Bucs but he still led the Lions to their second victory in a row. Stanton is going to try to play this weekend against the Dolphins but Shaun Hill (broken index finger on right hand) is back practicing for the Lions. Stanton has played in 6 games for the Lions so far this year and he has completed 69 of 119 passes (58%) for 780 yards with 4 TD passes and 3 INTs (78.4 QB Rating). Stanton has also carried the ball 18 times for 113 yards (6.3 ypc) with 1 TD run so far this year. Stanton is a tough guy so I wouldn’t put it past him playing this Sunday in Miami.
The Lions have placed 26-year old RT Gosder Cherilus on the Injured Reserve List due to a knee injury. Cherilus played in 12 games (all starts) for the Lions last season. He has now played in 43 games (40 starts) in his first three years with the Lions. At least Drew Stanton will be able to see pass rushers that get by Cherilus’ replacement.
The Lions have lost 25-year old cornerback Brandon McDonald for the rest of the year due to a fractured forearm. McDonald played in 6 games for the Lions this year and he had 19 tackles, 1 pass defensed and 1 fumble recovery. He has now played in 54 games in his first four years in the NFL and he has 173 tackles, 38 passes defensed, 2 forced fumbles and 8 interceptions (one he returned for a TD). It will be interesting to see if the Lions bring him back next season because he was playing decent ball before his injury.
The Lions have placed 29-year old linebacker Isaiah Ekejiuba on the Injured Reserve List due to a knee injury. Ekejiuba played in 9 games for the Lions this season and he had 10 tackles and 2 forced fumbles. The Lions have signed 27-year old guard Tony Ugoh to replace Ekejiuba on the actice roster. Ugoh played in 11 games (4 starts) for the Colts last season and he has now played in 37 games (27 starts) in his first three years in the NFL. Ugoh could be pressed into action as early as today against the Packers.
The Lions have placed 24-year old WR Derrick Williams on Injured Reserve due to a ankle injury. Williams played in 7 games for the Lions this year and he caught 3 passes for 30 yards (10.0 avg). Williams has now played in 18 games in his first two years with the Lions and he has caught 9 passes for 82 yards (9.1 avg). He has also returned 42 kickoffs for 931 yards (22.2 avg) in his career to date with the Lions. The Lions won’t miss Williams much as he contributed very little to the team this year.
The Detroit Lions have placed 32-year old DE Kyle Vanden Bosch on the Injured Reserve List ending his season. He will need surgery to repair a bulging disk in his neck. Vanden Bosch played in 11 games for the Lions last season and he had 49 tackles, 4 tackles for a loss, 4 sacks, 1 pass defensed and 2 forced fumbles. This is a bad break for both Vanden Bosch and the Lions. The Lions will miss his ability, while Vanden Bosch will likely miss out on the rest of his contract with the Lions as it wasn’t guaranteed.
The Lions have lost 25-year old cornerback Alphonso Smith indefinitely due to a right shoulder injury. Smith has played in 12 games for the Lions this year and he has 39 tackles, 2 tackles for a loss, 8 passes defensed, 5 interceptions (one returned for a TD), 1 fumble recovery and 1 forced fumble. The Lions will miss Smith despite him getting torched a bit lately as he has made some big plays for them this year.
UPDATE: (12/8/2010) – The Lions have placed Smith on I.R., ending his season.