Lions' Calvin Johnson says he hopes to play Sunday, not frustrated by role
Detroit Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnsontold reporters Wednesday that he hopes to play in Sunday's game.
Johnson also revealed that the injury he's been battling since the team's Week 3 game against the Green Bay Packers is a high ankle sprain in his right foot, which has forced him to miss Wednesday and Thursday practices the last two weeks. Lions coach Jim Caldwell said earlier this week that he'd "strongly" consider sitting Johnson this week to help him recover.
A report emerged Tuesday that Johnson was frustrated by his role as a decoy since sustaining the injury, as he's mainly been used to draw teams' coverage away from other receivers. But Johnson insisted Wednesday that he wasn't frustrated by his deployment that way, and that he can't be sure teams are targeting his ankle in an attempt to injure him further.
Johnson has just three catches for 19 yards the past two weeks against the New York Jets and Buffalo Bills. He has 22 receptions for 348 yards and two touchdowns overall this season.
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With Johnson limited, offseason acquisition Golden Tate leads the team with 31 receptions and 451 yards.
The Lions are 3-2 this season and tied for first place in the NFC North. Detroit travels to play the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday.
- Ben Estes
