Detroit Lions: Jermaine Kearse suffers lower leg injury

The Detroit Lions lose a wide receiver on the first drive of the preseason, as Jermaine Kearse goes down with a lower leg injury against the Patriots.

The Detroit Lions began their preseason on Thursday night at Ford Field facing a familiar foe, the New England Patriots. Both the Lions and the Pats shared joint practices at training camp in Allen Park earlier this week in preparation for the first exhibition contest for both squads.

Unfortunately, on the Lions’ first offensive drive of their preseason matchup with the Patriots Thursday night, wide receiver Jermaine Kearse suffered a lower leg injury. The veteran wideout was unexpectedly hit from behind by New England defensive back Terrence Brooks. Kearse had his leg placed in an air cast and was carted off the field to the locker room.

Update: According to sources via ESPN, Jermaine Kearse suffered a broken left leg and an ankle injury.

Kearse joined the Lions in June, signing a one-year, $1.35 million deal. The 29-year old receiver spent his first five seasons in the NFL with the Seattle Seahawks under current Lions’ offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell. Kearse spent the past two seasons with the New York Jets, posting career-highs in receptions (65) and receiving yards (810) in 2017.

In Detroit, Kearse was expected to come in an contribute immediately not just as a receiver, but as someone who understands Bevell’s offensive scheme, which the Lions are currently trying to install.

Although the extent of Kearse’s injury is currently unknown if he is forced to miss significant time it certainly shines a spotlight on the wide receiver depth chart in Detroit moving forward. Starters Marvin Jones Jr., Kenny Golladay, and Danny Amendola figure to be locks to make the final 53-man roster come August 31st.

That leaves bubble wide receivers like Andy Jones, Brandon Powell, Tommylee Lewis, Chris Lacey, Tom Kennedy, Travis Fulgham, and Jonathan Duhart all vying for spots on the Detroit Lions’ remaining roster. Perhaps a breakout performance by of one of them in the preseason will secure them a spot on the final-53.