X-DoNotUse-Sports

Lions' Crowell Breaks Foot

October 13, 2000 / 7:47 PM EDT / CBS/AP

Detroit Lions receiver Germane Crowell broke the fifth metatarsal on his left foot in practice Friday.

Team spokesman Steve Reaven said Crowell was running a pass pattern when the injury occurred, and it was not caused by contact with another player.

Jay Shoop, the team's head trainer, said the injury usually requires 6-8 weeks to heal.

Shoop said there are two ways to treat such an injury - either by putting a cast on the foot or by inserting a screw.

Quarterback Charlie Batch, who broke a bone in his right knee in the offseason and returned to the team for the second game of the season, always has had a special connection with Crowell.

"It's definitely going to affect things but at the same time, I'm not sure how long he's going to be out, but until then, we have to get the other receivers on the same page," Batch said.

Crowell had a breakout season in 1999, leading the Lions in receiving with 81 catches for 1,338 yards and seven touchdowns. He has 27 receptions this season for 320 yards.

The injury comes at a particularly bad time for the Lions, who travel to Tampa Bay for a Central Division matchup Thursday night.

The Buccaneers defeated the Lions 31-10 at the Silverdome on Sept. 17.

Thursday night's game is the fifth straight Central Division contest for the Lions.

Fellow receiver Herman Moore said, "It's unfortunate from our standpoint because Germane was an integral part of our passing attack. Before he went down, it was already a tough game, a tough road. But now with him out, the road just got tougher."

Moore, a four-time Pro Bowl selection, is one of the receivers Batch will look to in Tampa.

Moore has been somewhat of the odd man out the past two seasons. He was injured most of last year and has caught just one touchdown pass this year, a 30-yarder in last Sunday's game against Green Bay.

Moore said he really doesn't welcome the thought of more passes coming his way.

"Not under these circumstances, no," Moore said. "I'd much rather have Germane in and still receive less passes because having good players in the ballgame at all times, the better your chances of winning football games. With him out, it's going to make it harder on the entire offense, not just one player.

"The burden doesn't fall on me, it doesn't fall on Johnnie (Morton) or James Stewart. The pressure falls on 11 guys who take to the field when the offensive unit is called."

The third receiver will be Brian Stablein.

"I have confidence in the guys that are going to come in there and step up," Batch said. "Hopefully guys will step in, and we'll pick up where we left off."