The Detroit Lions have been shaky of late, as they suffered back-to-back losses to the Carolina Panthers and the New Orleans Saints before heading to their bye in Week 7. It’s not the only bad news they’ll be carrying with them into their scheduled rest, however.
According to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network, Lions wide receiver Golden Tate could be out for a significant amount of time with a shoulder injury he sustained during Sunday’s 52-38 road loss to the Saints.
#Lions WR Golden Tate, who injured his shoulder Sunday, is expected to miss time, source says. Likely a few weeks. MRI will tell full story.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 16, 2017
Rapoport doubled down on his reporting of Tate’s injury several minutes later, saying that the eight-year veteran wideout has been diagnosed with an AC joint sprain following an MRI.
Article Continues Below#Lions WR Golden Tate is dealing with an AC joint sprain, source says. The bye came at a good time for the Lions. Minimizes games missed.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 16, 2017
The bye should give Tate extra time to recover and reduce the number of games he’d probably miss. Tate is the Lions’ top receiver in terms of receptions (36) and receiving yards (363) this season, while also scoring two touchdowns.
In his absence, quarterback Matthew Stafford will key in on wideout Marvin Jones Jr. and running back Theo Riddick in the passing game. Hopefully, for Detroit, Kenny Golladay would be back in full health by Week 8 when the Lions play the Pittsburgh Steelers at home, as the wide receiver was sidelined for the past three games with a hamstring injury.