Report: Calvin Johnson Frustrated At Playing While Injured
By Ashley Dunkak
@AshleyDunkak
CBS DETROIT - An ankle issue has dramatically reduced Calvin Johnson's role in the Detroit Lions offense in the team's past two games, and NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports that the superstar wide receiver has been frustrated at having to play while hampered by injury.
"Players always want to play," Rapoport said, per NFL.com. "You know he is a gamer, but he wants to make sure he gets this ankle healed for the long haul."
Quarterback Matthew Stafford targeted Johnson 34 times over the first three games of the season but has thrown his way only three times in the last two games.
Johnson, known as the best in the NFL at his position, poses such a threat that defenses must still pay attention to him even when he is hurt. The Lions need all the distraction power they can muster because injuries at other positions - running back and tight end in particular - have limited their offensive options recently.
Even so, head coach Jim Caldwell said Monday that he thought about sitting Johnson last week and will strongly consider that possibility again this week.