Lions’ Johnson will be held out against Browns
Published: August 20th, 2009 | Tags: Calvin Johnson, Daunte Culpepper, Detroit Lions, Drew Stanton, Jim Schwartz, Matthew Stafford
Detroit Lions head coach Jim Schwartz announced Thursday that WR Calvin Johnson won’t play in Saturday’s preseason game against the Cleveland Browns. Schwartz said that Johnson, who has been sidelined with a sprained thumb, will probably be held out another week.
Schwartz is targeting to get Johnson back for the team’s third preseason game against the Colts.
“He’ll probably come out of his little splint fairly soon — an idea toward Indianapolis getting him back,” Schwartz said.
As for his starting QB against the Browns, Schwartz said he had a rotation in mind for Daunte Culpepper, Matthew Stafford and Drew Stanton, but declined to reveal it to reporters. Culpepper started and played three series the preseason opener against the Falcons, with Stafford entering during the second quarter and playing until Stanton entered during the third quarter.
Schwartz is in no rush — he said he has no timetable set on when he’ll make the final decision.
“We’re trying not to rush to things; let’s be objective with it,” Schwartz said. “I’ve seen some other coaches around say, ‘Hey, we’re making a decision after the second game or whatever. I don’t know if that’s the strategy that I would take.”
