The Lions’ loss to the Bears on Monday night became even more painful with the news afterward that receiver Nate Burleson suffered a broken leg and is done for the season.
Lions coach Jim Schwartz announced at his postgame press conference that Burleson will not play again this year.
Burleson landed awkwardly after catching a 16-yard pass on the Lions’ second offensive play of the second half, and although he tried to get up on his own, he couldn’t stand and had to be helped off the field and eventually carted to the locker room.
In addition to being one of the Lions’ veteran team leaders, Burleson is a starting wide receiver who entered the game tied for second on the team in catches, so this is a significant loss. The Lions will need young receivers Titus Young and Ryan Broyles to step up in Burleson’s absence. And they’ll need to find some way to make their offense move a lot better than it did on Monday night, despite losing a key piece.
