Week 8 Lions update...post 3...Calvin "optimistic" (1 Viewer)

[Anthony Borbely]

Link

Lions' Matthew Stafford returns to practice, Calvin Johnson sits out

By Tom Kowalski

October 27, 2009, 2:50PM

ALLEN PARK -- Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford returned to practice today while receiver Calvin Johnson did not participate. Stafford took snaps in the No. 1 rotation during individual drills; the media is not allowed to watch any team drills during the workout.

Stafford's status for Sunday's game against the St. Louis Rams won't be better known until Wednesday when team officials will see if there's any swelling in Stafford's knee. If there's swelling, Stafford will likely be out for Sunday's game. If there is no swelling, Stafford will continue to practice and a decision on whether he'll start will probably be made later in the week.

During his reps today, Stafford had mobility, but didn't look totally comfortable or fluid.

Stafford suffered a right knee subluxation in the game against the Chicago Bears four weeks ago. Stafford did not practice until he had limited duty on the Wednesday (Oct. 14) prior to the Green Bay Packers game.

Stafford's knee had some swelling the following day and he was sent for another MRI. Stafford has not practiced since. The Lions sent the MRI results to noted orthopedic surgeon Dr. James Andrews in Birmingham, Ala. for a second opinion.

Stafford suffered a similar knee dislocation of his right knee prior to his senior year of high school. At that time, Stafford also required arthroscopic surgery on his knee because there was some ligament damage. As of now, Stafford has not had surgery and none is expected.

"In high school, I sprained an MCL, the kneecap came out and I had to have it scoped. It's not the same thing,'' Stafford said recently.

Fullback Jerome Felton and defensive end Jason Hunter were also held out of practice today.

 

[Frenchy Fuqua]

Odd that CJ was questionable to return in the Steelers game and now three weeks later he's still hobbled. I don't like it.

 

[Anthony Borbely]

Link

Posted: 2:56 p.m. Oct. 27, 2009 | Updated: 4:50 p.m. today

Lions' Stafford, Johnson feeling better, might play

By NICHOLAS J. COTSONIKA

FREE PRESS SPORTS WRITER

Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford said he felt better today than he did Oct. 14, the last time he tested his injured knee in practice. But he wouldn’t speculate whether he would be able to play Sunday against St. Louis.

“I don’t know,” Stafford said. “We’ll see. It’s a long week. We’ve got to figure out how this thing is going to react.”

Wide receiver Calvin Johnson (right knee) did not practice. But he did some work on the side and said he was “definitely optimistic” he would be able to play against the Rams, though “not positive.”

“It feels a lot better since last week,” said Johnson, who has missed one game. “It just something we have to take day by day and see how it goes, and as long as it goes according to schedule, we’ll be able to make a decision off of that.”

Stafford reportedly suffered a partially dislocated right kneecap Oct. 4 at Chicago and has missed the past two games. He tested the knee in practice the Wednesday before the Lions’ last game, Oct. 18 at Green Bay, and had swelling afterward.

“It wasn’t a ton of swelling, but there was some discomfort with it,” Stafford said. “That was just a reaction. Obviously, I wasn’t ready to come back. That’s all that said.”

Stafford underwent a second MRI exam afterward, which the Lions reportedly forwarded to Dr. James Andrews in Birmingham, Ala. But Stafford said it was just a precaution and he does not need surgery.

“I didn’t think it was that big of a deal,” Stafford said. “The second MRI, I think it was just to make sure everything was fine, and then once we realized it was, it was fine.”

Stafford took about half the reps today, as he did the last time he practiced.

“This is the most I’ve done on it other than that Wednesday, and it felt better than it did that Wednesday,” Stafford said. “I don’t know if I could say how much better or how close I was to 100%. But this is the first time I’ve really tested it. I’ve just been walking around, and so it feels fine walking around, obviously.”

Quarterback Daunte Culpepper (knee), safety Ko Simpson (hamstring) and defensive linemen Dewayne White (hamstring) and Sammie Hill (ankle) also practiced.

Fullback Jerome Felton (ankle) and defensive end Jason Hunter (ankle) were not participating in the portion of practice open to reporters, but coach Jim Schwartz said everyone was able to do something and he is “guardedly optimistic” that the Lions will be at full strength Sunday.

 

[Knobs]

Odd that CJ was questionable to return in the Steelers game and now three weeks later he's still hobbled. I don't like it.

 

[tim_whatley]

You gotta figure this is one game the Lions have circled as a win this year. They are a well coached team, and coming off a bye week I would expect them to play well.

 

[thehornet]

haha, you guys are dreaming....

 

[goldenchild]

haha, you guys are dreaming....

which guys are dreaming? the ones that think cj will be good to go? or the ones that are doubting he will be healthy enough to play this week?

 

[Knobs]

haha, you guys are dreaming....

Dreaming that the Lions can win a game against the lowly Rams? Somebody has to win this thing. It might be as ugly as the Browns/Bills game but no matter how hard one of these teams tries to lose, I'm confident the other will out-suck them.

 

[jon_mx]

Lions 45 Rams 14...stafford throws 300+yards

 

[Iwannabeacowboybaby!]

Both sound optimistic in terms of potentialially being a threat down the stretch of this season.

If you own CJ like myself, I don't see how you start this guy against anyone until you see that he's in the game and playing well. No way I start him against the Rams or any other team until I get visual proof that he's fine and then he'll be back into my lineup regardless of the matchup.

 

[tim_whatley]

If they say he will go, I am playing him. See Kevin Smith earlier this year.

 

[packersfan]

If they say he will go, I am playing him.

Same here. If it was a tough matchup I might be more hesitant but it's the Rams. Calvin could be at 50% and still put up big numbers against the Rams.

 

[King of the Jungle]

Both sound optimistic in terms of potentialially being a threat down the stretch of this season.If you own CJ like myself, I don't see how you start this guy against anyone until you see that he's in the game and playing well. No way I start him against the Rams or any other team until I get visual proof that he's fine and then he'll be back into my lineup regardless of the matchup.

This injury has been frustrating for FF owners and fans because of the limited information. He will return to my lineup after he plays a game without ill effects. Although I am sure that the Lion's are not rushing him because of their awareness of how bad they are.

 

[teamramrod]

haha, you guys are dreaming....

Whatever, I saw the Rams best defensive player, but he was wearing an Eagles uniform last night.Peaceh

 

[detroitwhat]

i think he's gonna play. the lions know this is one of the few times this season they have a chance to win a game and the other being home against the Browns. no way megatron passes up an opportunity to be a part of this. the question will be more how effective he is or does he even need to be against the sorry rams.

 

[Grahamburn]

Both sound optimistic in terms of potentialially being a threat down the stretch of this season.If you own CJ like myself, I don't see how you start this guy against anyone until you see that he's in the game and playing well. No way I start him against the Rams or any other team until I get visual proof that he's fine and then he'll be back into my lineup regardless of the matchup.

This injury has been frustrating for FF owners and fans because of the limited information. He will return to my lineup after he plays a game without ill effects. Although I am sure that the Lion's are not rushing him because of their awareness of how bad they are.

If Calvin is limited today and Thursday, but practices Friday, you guys wouldn't start him on Sunday against the Rams?With bye weeks and other injuries I'm curious as to who else you feel would be a better play than Calvin against St. Louis if the Lions feel he's healthy enough to go.

 

[Sugar Huddle]

Detroit homers chime in. Any updated news on status of Stafford playing this weekend? I need a bye week fill-in and don't really want to go with Bulger. Stafford, if he plays, should be good for a couple of scores...rust and all.

 

[Balance]

Yahoo -

Stafford (knee) practiced for the second straight day on Wednesday, according to MLive.com. He was officially listed as a limited participant.Recommendation: Practicing on back-to-back days is a big step for Stafford, who has been dealing with quite a bit of swelling in his knee. He was only able to do lunges with one knee during team warmups, which is likely a sign he's not at 100 percent. Expect him to be a game-time decision.

 

[Anthony Borbely]

Link

Lions' Matthew Stafford, Calvin Johnson practice; both in line to play vs. winless Rams

By Tom Kowalski

October 29, 2009, 11:51AM

ALLEN PARK -- Detroit Lions rookie quarterback Matthew Stafford practiced for the third consecutive day today, and it appears he'll be the starter when the Lions host the St. Louis Rams on Sunday.

However, nothing is official, and it's unlikely Lions coach Jim Schwartz will make an announcement today.

Receiver Calvin Johnson, who missed the past two days of practice, went through some drills in the part of practice the media is allowed to watch. He ran routes and caught passes and didn't appear to be hobbled by his right knee injury.

If Johnson doesn't have any swelling or a setback of any other kind by Friday, it appears he'll also play Sunday.