Jermaine Kearse could have been heading for a monster season with the Detroit Lions. Now, he’ll be heading to injured reserve. Kearse went down on Detroit’s opening drive of Thursday night’s preseason game against the New England Patriots with what’s being reported as a broken leg.
Kearse not only broke the leg, but injured his ankle in the process. With Matthew Stafford as his quarterback and the offense the Lions run, Kearse was set up for a bounce-back season after catching just 37 passes for 371 yards and a touchdown with a rebuilding New York Jets team in 2018.
#Lions WR Jermaine Kearse, who was carted off earlier, suffered a broken leg and also associated injuries to his ankle, source said. In what was supposed to be a bounce-back year, it’s a brutal injury instead.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 9, 2019
With Kearse down, the opportunity arises for Brendon Powell and Andy Jones, both former undrafted free agents. Detroit will at least get a good look at what it has as the waiver wires start to fill up.
It was a rough opening game for the Lions all the way around. Back up quarterback Tom Savage was sent ot the locker room after getting sacked three times. The final hit, bounced his head off the turf and now he’s in the concussion protocol.
With Stafford in street clothes, Detroit was down to only one QB in the preseason game, David Fales.
Honest question with Tom Savage OUT with a concussion , & Stafford not playing…What happens if Fales gets hurt? Logan Thomas? Emergency call to Dan Orlovsky?#Lions
— Dan Leach (@DanLeachDTM) August 9, 2019
Morris Claiborne lands with the Kansas City Chiefs
For a former first round pick who’s played well in the league, Morris Claiborne spent a lot of time out of work this preseason. Thursday, that status finally changed as the former Dallas Cowboy and New York Jet signed a free agent contract with the Kansas City Chiefs.
Report: #Chiefs sign cornerback Morris Claiborne: https://t.co/j9AOsVouxz
— Arrowhead Pride (@ArrowheadPride) August 8, 2019
Claiborne still must sit the first four games of the season for violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy. Adding Claiborne shores up a weak spot on the KC defense. After Kendall Fuller and Bashaud Breeland, the Chiefs didn’t have much in talent or depth. Claiborne, once his suspension wraps, could work the slot or slide outside on multiple receiver sets.
