The Detroit Lions need Kerryon Johnson to return quickly

The Detroit Lions‘ playoff hopes may be dashed, but Kerryon Johnson must play once he is fully healthy. Preserving him for the future is not an option.

After losing on Thanksgiving Day, the Detroit Lions postseason hopes are all but officially over, but the mission remains the same: try to win football games.

Tanking the rest of the season is not the best course of action for the Lions. Believe it or not, professional players and coaches get paid to try to win. This is especially important for Matt Patricia, who must convince a locker room, front office, and fan base that he is capable of establishing a winning culture for a franchise that has a culture of disappointment.

Wins, not a higher draft slot, is what will help this franchise evolve. It is what will entice free agents to sign with the Lions. It is what will galvanize a core group of players to build something special in the Motor City.

That is exactly why rookie running back Kerryon Johnson must return to the field as soon as the team’s medical staff gives him the green light.

After suffering a knee injury in the team’s last win over the Carolina Panthers, Lions’ faithful held its collective breath while hoping Johnson’s present – and future – were not in serious jeopardy. As it turned out, Johnson’s injury was diagnosed as a knee sprain, and he is expected to miss only a few games.

Johnson has been every bit of sensational this season. He usurped the lead role from veteran LeGarrette Blount in just a few games, delivering on the optimism garnered in training camp that he can contribute in every way possible.

Under no uncertain terms should the Lions feel even tempted to hold Johnson out for the remainder of the season to preserve him. This is professional football. The Lions need to win games, and having Johnson on the field gives them the best opportunity to do so.

As long as Kerryon Johnson’s fully healthy, the rookie needs to be in the Lions’ backfield and not on the bench. Johnson still has plenty of learning to do in his first season in spite of his early success, and it is obvious that the Lions’ offense needs all the help it can get.