Calvin Johnson participates in practice; game-time decision for fantasy owners
The star wide receiver surprisingly missed Sunday’s game for the Lions, and he’s still not participating. We break down the fantasy implications.
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Update: Detroit Lions beat reporter Kyle Meinke said that Calvin Johnson did in fact practice Thursday, but was very limited, mostly doing individual workouts. With Johnson’s limitations, the advice given holds, but seeing that he practiced has to be good news.
Detroit Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson is unlikely to practice all week, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. Schefter added that Johnson is likely to be a game-time decision for the Lions' game against the Cleveland Browns Sunday.
Johnson was a late scratch for the team's game last week against the Green Bay Packers. In the team's first four games, Johnson has caught 21 balls for 312 yards and four touchdowns, an average of 78 yards and a touchdown a game.
Fantasy impact: If Johnson is active, he’s an obvious must-start. With the question mark leading up to Sunday, fantasy owners need to be really aware of noon-hour updates before the Lions’ 1 p.m. game Sunday.
If Johnson were to miss another game, the team's other options at receiver are underwhelming. There are tight ends Brandon Pettigrew and Tony Scheffler, and wide receivers Kris Durham, Ryan Broyles, Patrick Edwards, and Kevin Ogletree. No player on that list can really be counted on to replace Johnson's production, or even get moderately close.
The best bets to see big increases in the team's passing game are running backs Reggie Bush and Joique Bell. If Johnson ends up being out Sunday, fantasy owners should probably look outside Detroit for a fill-in.
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