Lions makes some moves after getting hit with injuries
Jermaine Kearse checked several boxes for the Detroit Lions when they brought in the wide receiver as a free agent during mini-camp in June.
Kearse was familiar with new offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell's scheme, had the flexibility to play outside or in the slot, and added a veteran presence to a locker room that formerly had strong wide receiver leadership from Golden Tate, Kearse's former teammate in Seattle.
Now that Kearse is out indefinitely after suffering a gruesome injury to his left leg on Thursday during the first possession of the preseason opener, the Lions must look elsewhere to fill those roles.
The 29-year-old Kearse and defensive tackle Darius Kilgo were placed on injured reserve Saturday, and coach Matt Patricia confirmed quarterback Tom Savage is in the concussion protocol after hitting his head on the turf on a sack during New England's 31-3 thumping of Detroit.
The Lions reacted by signing quarterback Josh Johnson and running back Justin Stockton.
Detroit did receive some good news as defensive end Trey Flowers, 25, who signed a five-year deal for $90 million in the offseason, was activated from the physically unable to perform list.
Kearse was blocking on a running play by Ty Johnson when a New England player landed on him from behind.
It was the fifth play from scrimmage during the game, which starting receivers Marvin Jones Jr., Kenny Golladay and Danny Amendola sat out.
With quarterback Matthew Stafford out with a rest day, Johnson got plenty of reps in his first day at camp. The Lions are team No. 13 for Tampa Bay's 2008 fifth-round pick out of San Diego.
Jaguars hurting: The Jacksonville Jaguars don't expect left tackle Cam Robinson and receiver Marqise Lee to be ready for the season opener.
Coach Doug Marrone provided an update on the two starters, saying “we just can't get them over the hump.”
“We've got to go and start preparing to play without them, unfortunately,” Marrone added. “It could change, obviously, but it'd be tough.”
Robinson, a second-round draft pick in 2017, tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee last September – during a Week 2 win against New England.
Lee, who led the team in receptions in 2017, tore several ligaments in his left knee when Atlanta cornerback Damontae Kazee delivered a helmet-first hit to his knee in a preseason game last August.