*** UPDATE: 6:12 PM EST ***
According to a tweet from Ian Rapoport from NFL Network, Eric Ebron has “indicated to at least two teammates that he’s OK”. Ebron has also sent out three tweets since he was injured including one that says “LOL y’all media people crazy”. Guilty, but in a season when he is supposed to pick up a solid chunk of the dead weight left by Megatron’s departure, can he really blame us? Everything looks to be good with Ebron, be sure to check back with us here if any new information arises.
After viewing this video from Ebron’s Snapchat, he seems to be OK.
Eric Ebron Injury: Carted Off Field in Mock Game
In a mock game at Ford Field, Lions starting tight end Eric Ebron had to be carted off the field with a lower leg injury. The third year tight end was reported to visibly be in a lot of pain grabbing his lower calf/Achilles area. It doesn’t seem to be a torn ACL, but a torn Achilles would be just as tragic.
Lions fans across the country are undoubtedly holding their breath as they wait to hear what the prognosis is, but if it’s a season-ender this will be devastating news. Ebron was expected to pick up a lot of the yards that were up for grabs with Calvin’s exit in a breakout third season. His loss would also put extreme pressure on what already was the thinnest position group on the team with the tight ends. Your current #1 TE? Probably a guy you’ve never heard of, Cole Wick, an undrafted rookie from the University of the Incarnate Word. I wrote an article about how Wick could be a hidden gem, however he is not even close to being ready to meet the demands of a starting NFL tight end.
Sadly, he may have to.
If there’s anything for Lions fans to look for in this potentially mortifying situation is that first year tight ends coach is former Miami FL head man Al Golden. Golden has had his fair share of football adversity to deal with, and a depth of knowledge that runs twenty years deep.
The rest of the tight end group has Matthew Mulligan, a pure blocking veteran, Ben McCord a UDFA rookie from Central Michigan, Adam Fuehne a 6’8″ UDFA rookie from Southern Illinois, and Orson Charles, a 4th round pick of the Bengals in 2012.
Brandon Pettigrew is still on the roster, however he started camp on the PUP list due to a torn ACL he sustained in a late-season game in St. Louis last year. The Lions will want him on the field as soon as possible but rushing him back into action would be a dangerous game to play.
Even though Ebron has underwhelmed following his 10th overall selection, it’s impossible to be blind to his athletic talent and slow but steady progression over the past two seasons. Lions fans we’re hoping to see a 3rd season leap. It may have to wait.
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