The Lions’ injury situation just got a lot worse Monday morning when rookie running back Mikel Leshoure was lost for the entire season after tearing his left Achilles tendon.
Leshoure was carrying the ball during a team drill when defensive end Cliff Avril wrapped him up. Leshoure immediately went to the ground in pain and was eventually carted off the field.
Lions head coach Jim Schwartz called the injury a freak accident and that there was no way to prevent it.
“Yeah, it’s like a couple years ago,” he said, “we had (Jared) DeVries get his (torn Achilles’) from non-contact. There are some injuries you can sort of stay away from; other ones kind of happen.”
The Lions acquired Leshoure out of Illinois after trading back into the bottom of the second round. The 6-foot, 233-pounder was expected to be part of a thunder and lightning combo with second year running back Jahvid Best.
With Leshoure out the Lions are now going to have to try and replace him.
Some options for them include Jermone Harrison and former Redskin and Bronco Clinton Portis.
ESPN’s Chris Sprow believes that Portis may be a smart upgrade considering his experience in one particular area of the job.
“Portis has lost a step, but as a Lions option, one thing he can do as well or better than any RB alive is throw a block.”
Source: Mlive.com, ESPN