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Notebook: Broyles injures right knee, tight end production and Suh's dominance

Posted Dec 2, 2012

Broyles' injury an unknown in the Lions loss to Indianapolis.

Three words Lions fans didn't want to hear regarding the right knee injury suffered by rookie receiver Ryan Broyles on Sunday.

"It's a concern," Lions head coach Jim Schwartz said after the game.

Broyles was injured on the Lions' second offensive series of the game after catching a bubble screen and turning it up field for a 3-yard gain.

Broyles came to the sideline after the play and was worked on by trainers on the training table for several minutes. He then back into the locker room. He returned for a brief time in uniform in the second quarter, but did not return to the game. He came out for the second half in street clothes with his right knee wrapped.

"He couldn't go back (in)," Schwartz said. "We'll do some tests tomorrow."

Any significant injury would be a huge blow to the Lions offense. The Lions are already without Titus Young, who was inactive for a second straight game due to disciplinary reasons, and were counting on Broyles to be a big part of the offense the rest of the way.

Calvin Johnson picked up the slack with a 13-catch, 171-yard performance, including a touchdown, but Schwartz admitted after the game that Broyles was a huge part of the game plan Sunday.

Broyles was just getting back to 100 percent from an ACL injury in the other knee last November.

TIGHT END PRODUCTION

The absence of Young and Broyles early in the game meant the Lions offense was going to need some other guys to take on more of the load, along with Johnson.

Tight ends Brandon Pettigrew and Tony Scheffler stepped up. The two combined for six catches and 98 yards. Pettigrew had a 16-yard touchdown catch in the first quarter with Scheffler contributing to that drive with catches of 39 and six yards. Third tight end Will Heller also had one catch for five yards.

Pettigrew averaged 14.3 yards per reception on three catches and Scheffler 18.3 yards on his three catches. The tandem wasn't just making catches, but they were making them down the field when the Lions were short their outside threats.

Pettigrew's touchdown was a terrific grab over two defenders. It was a much-needed play for the fourth-year player after some recent fumbles and drops had plagued him.

Scheffler left the game briefly to get checked for a concussion after taking a helmet-to-helmet hit, but returned.

SUH AND FAIRLEY

The Lions' defensive tackle tandem of the future is looking pretty good right now.

The duo of Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairley was disruptive and dominant Sunday vs. the Colts. Suh, in particular, was a complete menace all game.

Suh finished with six tackles, one sack, four tackles for loss and six quarterback hits. It seems the rumors of Suh's demise were greatly exaggerated. Suh has 11 quarterback hits over his last two games.

Fairley, who made the start for veteran Corey Williams, had three tackles and two quarterback hits (but also had a key horse-collar penalty late).

The Lions have found themselves a force to be reckoned with in the middle of their defense.