Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson said early this week that he won’t return to the field until he and his injured ankle feel great, a point that seems to still be off in the future after he missed practice on Wednesday and Thursday.
That’s led to the expectation that Johnson will be ruled out for this week’s game against the Saints, but coach Jim Caldwell isn’t willing to go there just yet. Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press reports that Caldwell said that “miracles can happen” when asked about Johnson’s status on Friday, which may have some Lions fans looking for burning bushes telling them that Johnson’s ankle is ready to go.
Barring the miraculous, the Lions will go without Johnson for the second straight week and they may also be shorthanded at tight end.
Eric Ebron went from a limited participant in practice on Wednesday to a non-particpant on Thursday because of a hamstring injury. Joseph Fauria is still out after an ankle injury suffered while trying to prevent his dog from urinating in the house -- some miracles you have to make on your own -- and Caldwell hinted the team could sign Jordan Thompson off the practice squad to join Brandon Pettigrew on Sunday.
