Detroit Lions head coach Matt Patricia said this week that the team being officially eliminated from playoff contention will not impact which players are placed on injured reserve, but actions speak louder than words.
According to multiple reports, the Lions plan to place running back Kerryon Johnson on IR Wednesday, ending his rookie season.
Lions placing RB Kerryon Johnson on IR today, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 19, 2018
Johnson has not played since Nov. 18 because of a knee injury. Reports have indicated that he was diagnosed with a sprained MCL, which is the same injury Los Angeles Chargers running back Melvin Gordon is expected to return from on Saturday after missing three games. While Johnson’s sprain could be more severe, the Lions almost certainly would have kept him off IR if they were in the playoff hunt.
Johnson had become a big part of Detroit’s offense prior to going down. He rushed for 641 yards and was averaging 5.4 yards per carry. He added another 213 yards receiving, and all of that was enough to make him one of our breakout players of the 2018 season. The former Auburn star should enter training camp as the Lions’ No. 1 option at tailback.
