Calvin Johnson may miss Week 5 vs. Bills

Sep 21, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson (81) watches from the sidelines during the game against the Green Bay Packers at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 21, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson (81) watches from the sidelines during the game against the Green Bay Packers at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

Calvin Johnson is the biggest offensive threat that the Detroit Lions have, but he may have to sit out Sunday’s game against the Bills.

Detroit Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson is known for playing through tough injuries. Last season he played through a bad knee and broken fingers that required surgeries in the off season.

More from Detroit Lions

According to head coach Jim Caldwell, if Calvin Johnson’s ankle doesn’t improve, he could miss Sunday’s game against the Buffalo Bills.

“That possibility always exists,” Caldwell said in his Friday press conference. “Just kind of depends on how one progresses during the course of the week. There are some times that they move forward enough that they won’t have any significant setbacks and other times you don’t feel that way. You have to wait until the end of the week and react accordingly.”

The 6’5, 29-year-old is the best wide receiver in the NFL and a key component for the Detroit Lions. In 7.25 seasons with Detroit, Johnson has 9,669 yards receiving and 68 touchdowns.

Johnson is part of a banged up Lions offense. Running back Joique Bell has not practiced since sustaining a concussion against the Jets, and receiver Golden Tate showed up on Thursday’s practice report with an injured hamstring. Tight end Joseph Fauria is also questionable after spraining his ankle trying to prevent his dog from urinating in his house.

Tate is expected to play Sunday while Bell remains doubtful. Without Johnson, Fauria and Bell, the Lions are left with Golden Tate, Eric Ebron, Brandon Pettigrew, Ryan Broyles and Jeremy Ross catching passes from  Matthew Stafford. While they made it work last week when Tate had a big game in a win over the New York Jets while Johnson was sidelined most of the game, they won’t want to make keeping Johnson on the sidelines a habit.

MORE STORIES FROM FANSIDED

Eric Decker misses Jets practice on Friday
Buffalo Bills DT Kyle Williams not seen at practice
NFL Week 5 picks: Ravens vs Colts, Texans vs Cowboys and more
Teddy Bridgewater to return for Vikings in week 6
Could Tom Brady be traded mid-season?