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Larry Warford injures knee in loss to Packers
The Lions lost their shot at a division title and first-round bye in the playoffs with a 30-20 loss in Green Bay Sunday, but they also might have lost their starting right guard.
Warford injured his left knee on a failed 4th and 10 play midway through the second quarter.
It’s the second left knee injury Warford has suffered this year. He missed three games earlier this year because of the first injury.
Caldwell said he was “not sure” if Warford would be available to play in next week’s playoff game in Dallas, slated for a 4:40 kickoff on Sunday.
“Obviously Larry is a guy that we’re hoping heals quickly but we’ll see how that goes,” Caldwell said.
If Warford can’t go, expect rookie Travis Swanson to fill in for him just like he did when he started the three games at right guard Warford missed earlier in the year.
“I think Larry is going to be one of those emerging guards in the league,” fellow guard Rob Sims said. “Those guys that people talk about. To lose him (Sunday) stung for sure.”
IHEDIGBO BENCHED
Starting strong safety James Ihedigbo was a great offseason signing for the Lions and he's played at a Pro Bowl level all season, but Sunday in Green Bay was not one of his finer games.
Ihedigbo was mysteriously absent from the lineup for most of the second half, but it wasn't an injury keeping him off the field. It was his head coach.
“We just made some adjustments,” Caldwell said after the game when asked about Ihedigbo. “Often times we make decisions depending on what we see and that was one of those.
“I’m not discussing that particular issue. We made an assessment of what we’re getting, what we needed, and made an adjustment.”
Isa Abdul-Quddus played a majority of the snaps in place of Ihedigbo, who finished with four tackles and a forced fumble.
Ihedigbo didn’t seem too happy about the benching after the game.
"I mean, I’m going to be there for my teammates no matter what the situation is,” he said. “I play for them, that’s where my heart is. Everything I do is for my guys, so whatever they felt was necessary, that’s out of my pay grade.
“When I’m out there I’m going to play football. That’s what I’m here to do is play football. I’m not here to do anything else, besides do my job.”
The Lions did not have a good tackling day as a team and Ihedigbo missed a number of tackles himself.
Caldwell did not say whether or not Ihedigbo would start next week in Dallas.
RAIOLA REINSTATED MONDAY
Veteran center Dominic Raiola will be reinstated to the team Monday after serving a one-game suspension for stomping on the leg of Bears defensive tackle Ego Ferguson last week.
His return will allow Swanson to move over to right guard in place of Warford if Warford’s knee injury keeps him out of the lineup.
But Swanson held his own in Green Bay, where he made his first career start at center.
“I think he did a great job,” Sims said of Swanson. “I think he played tough. He was confident. He made his calls. When he was free he helped us out.”
Tim Twentyman Senior Writer
[*=right]
The Lions lost their shot at a division title and first-round bye in the playoffs with a 30-20 loss in Green Bay Sunday, but they also might have lost their starting right guard.
Larry Warford left the game in the second quarter with a knee injury and did not return. He was carted back to the locker room from the sideline after having to be helped off the field by trainers. He appeared to be upset when trainers were looking at him on the table behind the bench.Warford injured his left knee on a failed 4th and 10 play midway through the second quarter.
It’s the second left knee injury Warford has suffered this year. He missed three games earlier this year because of the first injury.
Caldwell said he was “not sure” if Warford would be available to play in next week’s playoff game in Dallas, slated for a 4:40 kickoff on Sunday.
“Obviously Larry is a guy that we’re hoping heals quickly but we’ll see how that goes,” Caldwell said.
If Warford can’t go, expect rookie Travis Swanson to fill in for him just like he did when he started the three games at right guard Warford missed earlier in the year.
“I think Larry is going to be one of those emerging guards in the league,” fellow guard Rob Sims said. “Those guys that people talk about. To lose him (Sunday) stung for sure.”
IHEDIGBO BENCHED
Starting strong safety James Ihedigbo was a great offseason signing for the Lions and he's played at a Pro Bowl level all season, but Sunday in Green Bay was not one of his finer games.
Ihedigbo was mysteriously absent from the lineup for most of the second half, but it wasn't an injury keeping him off the field. It was his head coach.
“We just made some adjustments,” Caldwell said after the game when asked about Ihedigbo. “Often times we make decisions depending on what we see and that was one of those.
“I’m not discussing that particular issue. We made an assessment of what we’re getting, what we needed, and made an adjustment.”
Isa Abdul-Quddus played a majority of the snaps in place of Ihedigbo, who finished with four tackles and a forced fumble.
Ihedigbo didn’t seem too happy about the benching after the game.
"I mean, I’m going to be there for my teammates no matter what the situation is,” he said. “I play for them, that’s where my heart is. Everything I do is for my guys, so whatever they felt was necessary, that’s out of my pay grade.
“When I’m out there I’m going to play football. That’s what I’m here to do is play football. I’m not here to do anything else, besides do my job.”
The Lions did not have a good tackling day as a team and Ihedigbo missed a number of tackles himself.
Caldwell did not say whether or not Ihedigbo would start next week in Dallas.
RAIOLA REINSTATED MONDAY
Veteran center Dominic Raiola will be reinstated to the team Monday after serving a one-game suspension for stomping on the leg of Bears defensive tackle Ego Ferguson last week.
His return will allow Swanson to move over to right guard in place of Warford if Warford’s knee injury keeps him out of the lineup.
But Swanson held his own in Green Bay, where he made his first career start at center.
“I think he did a great job,” Sims said of Swanson. “I think he played tough. He was confident. He made his calls. When he was free he helped us out.”
