The knee problem with which Calvin Johnson is dealing could soon rival Tom Brady’s right shoulder in duration and ultimate impact on performance.
While Johnson has missed a game this year because of his knee (necessarily making it far worse than the right shoulder injury that appeared on the Patriots’ report pretty much every week for roughly five years -- and recently resurfaced), it’s becoming a given to see Johnson’s name followed be the word “knee” in parentheses on the weekly injury reports.
Even after a bye week, Johnson was limited in practice both Wednesday and Thursday due to his knee injury.
Again, it hasn’t done anything to impair Johnson’s play, when he can play. In his last game, he generated 329 receiving yards, second most in NFL history.
With Jay Cutler back for the Bears, the Lions need Johnson to be able to play, regardless of how well he can or can’t practice fully.