As the NFL debate rages on about whether to play starters in the preseason, the Detroit Lions have a better case than most when it comes to needless injuries. In their first preseason contest of the year, the Lions lost wide receiver Jermaine Kearse (broken leg) and defensive tackle Darius Kilgo (undisclosed) due to injury against the New England Patriots.
Both Kearse and Kilgo have since been placed on injured reserve. Neither were slated to be starters this upcoming season although Kearse was seen as an important backup and valuable as a veteran of new offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell’s system.