The Detroit Lions are heading into Monday night banged up. With a game against the New Orleans Saints on the horizon, the team has several players dealing with injuries that could hurt the chances of getting a win. Injuries have been an issue for Calvin Johnson all year and while he has not missed time on the field much, it is unclear just how healthy he has truly been. Monday will be no different as Johnson along with Eric Ebron and Lance Moore are all listed as questionable against the Saints.
According to the Lions' official website, Ebron, Johnson and Moore are all listed on the injury report heading into this game. Moore is expected to play while Johnson has been in and out of practice. The receiver did not end up practicing on Saturday, but is believed to still be playing in Week 15. Johnson has missed plenty of practice time this season with injuries and still gotten on the field for game day. The receiver needs just 19 yards to notch his sixth-straight 1,000-yard season. If healthy, he will be involved early and a lot against the Saints.
Ebron is the real concern. The tight end is suffering from an illness that has kept him off the practice field. The Lions need Ebron with Brandon Pettigrew out for the season. Ebron is having a strong season for the Lions and has been excelling with more playing time. If on the field he could gain plenty of looks with the weakened Saints' defense.
"I've just got to be ready for every play, every defense, every design, everything," Ebron said, via ESPN.com. Usually I wouldn't have to because, I wouldn't say I wouldn't have to because you never know what happens, but you know, Grew mostly took on most of the running role, which we know of, because he's a fantastic blocker. So once again, I got to get my mindset back to being multi-dimensional in this offense again."
With the Saints defense struggling on the season, the Lions have a chance to make some noise offensively. Ameer Abdullah who was held to a quiet game against the St. Louis Rams could breakout against New Orleans as he will start the game and be the team's workhorse. Theo Riddick should rotation in while Joique Bell remains the quiet option as he comes back from an ankle injury.
The receivers should be able to take advantage of the weakened secondary. Along with Johnson, Moore and Golden Tate are expected to be big factors in Week 15. Tate is coming off one of his best games of the season as Stafford aims to get the best of Drew Brees in the game.