ALLEN PARK, Mich. (AP) -The Detroit Lions placed running back Kevin Jones on injured reserve Tuesday, ending his season two days after he injured his left foot.
Jones hurt the foot late in Sunday's 30-20 loss to the Minnesota Vikings, and team officials said Monday they were concerned he may have a Lisfranc fracture-dislocation, an injury that kept linebacker Teddy Lehman on the sidelines for nearly 12 months.
It is a serious injury involving the bones and ligaments on the top of the foot, and can be devastating to a career.
``If that's what Kevin has, all I can tell him is that you have to keep fighting when you feel like it is never going to get better,'' Lehman said. ``It will come around, but it is slow.''
Cleveland running back Errict Rhett had his career ended by a similar injury in 2000, but Philadelphia running back Duce Staley had one the following year and rushed for more than 1,000 yards a season later.
Jones is Detroit's rushing leader with 689 yards and six touchdowns, but his biggest impact has come in the passing game. Coming into the season, he was considered a poor receiver, but he set career bests with 61 catches and 520 yards.
``Losing K.J. is huge,'' defensive end Kalimba Edwards said. ``I sit next to him on the plane, and I keep asking him where he got those hands. He said it was just a lot of hard work.''
Jones joins Detroit's massive list of players with season-ending injuries, which includes his two primary backups - Shawn Bryson and Brian Calhoun - as well as three starting defensive linemen and former All-Pro guard Damien Woody.
``It's tough, because we are trying to teach a system and we've had such an influx of players coming in and going out,'' Lions coach Rod Marinelli said. ``Every time we make another change, it is almost like we have to start the teaching process all over.''
Jones will be replaced by Arlen Harris and Aveion Cason, both of whom have been cut by the Lions and then brought back due to injuries.
However, with Jones a long-term question mark, the Lions will have to consider going after a veteran free-agent running back during the offseason or taking one in April's draft.
At the moment, Detroit holds the No. 1 pick, and most early mock drafts have them selecting Notre Dame quarterback Brady Quinn. However, if Jones' recovery is not progressing well by next spring, they might consider a runner, such as Oklahoma's Adrian Peterson.
``It will certainly alter our plans,'' Marinelli said.
The Lions signed guard Stephen Peterman and running back Anthony Sherrell from the club's practice squad, and released defensive tackle Keith Wright from the practice squad.
Further details about Jones' injury were not immediately available Tuesday.
Jones leads the Lions in rushing with 689 yards and is third in receptions with 61 for 520 yards. He has eight touchdowns, including a career-best six on the ground.
The Lions on Tuesday also signed guard Stephen Peterman and running back Anthony Sherrell from the club's practice squad, and released defensive tackle Keith Wright from the practice squad.
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