Calvin Johnson isn't yet fully recovered from the knee injury that has limited him the last two weeks, but he is getting healthier and should be a bigger contributor this week when the Detroit Lions take on the Cincinnati Bengals. Offensive coordinator Scott Linehan told Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press that Johnson should play a greater role in the Lions' gameplan after being stymied against the Cleveland Browns.
Calvin Johnson injury: Lions WR approaching 100 percent
Calvin Johnson should take on an increased role for the Lions this week, after being hobbled the last two weeks by a knee injury.
Matt Sullivan
“I would think so,” Linehan said. “It’s not an overnight thing to get back to 100%, but he’s working very hard to get there, so I don’t see why there’s any reason he wouldn’t be able to have a few more (plays) this week. But it has everything to do with how the game goes.”
Johnson was held to just three receptions for 25 yards against the Browns, running more underneath routes than the big-play wideout is accustomed to. He was still able to draw a lot of attention from the Browns' secondary and helped the Lions to a 31-17 win. The Lions lost the week prior to the Green Bay Packers when Johnson was held out altogether.
Though the injury has kept his numbers down, Johnson has still been productive this season with 24 receptions for 337 yards and four touchdowns through five games played. He has had to make do without much of a supporting cast. Nate Burleson is out for the time being after breaking his arm in a pizza incident, and Ryan Broyles is still making his way back from a torn ACL.
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