Calvin Johnson expected to play Thursday night vs. Packers

Detroit Lions wideout Calvin Johnson is expected to start Thursday night against the Packers despite being listed as questionable earlier in the week with a lingering ankle issue, according to Albert Breer of NFL Media. This wasn’t the first time this fall that Johnson had been questionable, but he’s still managed to suit up for each game and is coming off a three-touchdown outing against the Eagles.

When the Packers and Lions met in a Week 10 outing, Johnson caught six passes for 81 yards.

Johnson hasn’t had as productive a season as he’s accustomed to, but he’s still totaled 921 receiving yards and six touchdowns in his 11 games. The Lions are riding out a three-game winning streak and the team’s offense is slowly starting to figure out how to score -- due in large part to all the midseason coaching changes.

Since Jim Bob Cooter took over as offensive coordinator in Week 8, Johnson has been targeted more often by quarterback Matthew Stafford and totaled at least 80 yards in each game. Utilizing him as the threat he is opens up the run game, which the team desperately needs -- the Lions are currently tied with the Browns as the worst rushing team in the NFL.

The nine-year veteran has only played in all 16 games three times in his career, and his yardage has seen a steady decline since 2012, when he recorded a career-high 1,964 yards. Still, he’s accounted for over 11,000 yards and 80 touchdowns during his NFL career, and remains one of the best at his position.