Amon-Ra St. Brown 'Thankful' Lions Kept Him Out
No NFL player likes to miss game action, especially due to injury.
For Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown, missing the team's game against the Carolina Panthers provided the talented wideout an opportunity to observe the team from a different vantage point.
While Lions head coach Dan Campbell expressed it was challenging to inform the third-year wideout he would not be playing, all parties involved felt it was the correct decision, especially given the fact it was a long season and the team has additional depth at multiple different positions.
"I'm thankful that they did. Because at the end of the day, you never really know what certain injuries, what can progress throughout the game, if you play or if you don't," said St. Brown. "So, I hate missing games. If I can, I wouldn't miss a game ever if I could. But, at the end of the day, the team has to make a decision about what's best for me and the team. And, that was for me not to play last week. But, this week, it's a new week. I feel good, I feel ready. So, we'll see."
Despite being out on the practice field working with trainers on the side, St. Brown felt like he was away from the team, a feeling that was quite unpleasant.
"It's tough, but I kind of figured trending throughout the week that I probably wasn't going to play," St. Brown said. "I didn't know for sure, but I kind of figured I wasn't going to play. But, it was tough, kind of just being -- I don't know, you just feel like, I felt like I was away from the team. Kind of, because I'm not, obviously, I'm in the meetings everywhere with them, but I'm not out there physically with them, which kind of sucks. But, I'm glad to be back."
The camaraderie among the Lions' roster also made missing practice and the team's Week 5 game sting a little more.
"Honestly, I just missed being out with the guys, the preparation. I feel like I kind of missed the preparation of the whole week," St. Brown commented. "It starts after the game, you know, you're beat up, boom. And, you have that Tuesday off, and then Wednesday, you start with the preparation throughout the whole week.
"And, you kind of missed the whole thing just being there with your guys," St. Brown commented further. "And, on Sunday, seeing them going out there and playing and me being on the sideline, I can't really help them. But, they did a great job, man. I was so happy to watch guys out there balling. So happy for my teammates. But, I mean, I'm ready to be back."
St. Brown does not believe, based on what he has been told by medical personnel, that the risk of re-injury is that significant.
"I don't think so. From what the doctors that we've talked to, it sounds pretty good," St. Brown noted.
'Stingy' Buccaneers defense
The Lions are quite aware of the potential of Todd Bowles' defense, as it has put together several quality defensive performances through the four games the NFC South leader has played.
"They're a stingy defense. They're one of the better defenses in this league. You know their coordinator, head coach Todd Bowles does a great job of of coaching those guys," said St. Brown. "You know, they send pressure there. They know what they do best. And yeah, those corners are long. And, they got long arms and for the most part, they can run. So, it's going to be a challenge for us. But, I think our coaches are putting together a pretty good plan. So, I'm excited for Sunday."
