According to ESPN, the Detroit Lions have placed safety Tavon Wilson on injured reserve on Monday. He is expected to undergo a surgery following a shoulder injury. Wilson has been injured for the better part of the season but managed to play through it. He injured his shoulder again on Thanksgiving’s game against the Minnesota Vikings.
“You have guys, regardless of who it is, that you lose that you don’t want to lose, but you’re always going to have somebody to step up and step in and get it done,” said Lions coach Jim Caldwell. “Obviously he’s been a vital part of what we do and he’s done a great job for us. So we’ll see what happens.”
This season, Wilson contributed 55 tackles, 2 sacks, and an interception for the Lions. He has been named to the Lions’ starting squad in 2016 and went on to start majority of the games since. In 2016 season, Wilson had a career-high 87 tackles to go with one sack and 2 interceptions. Entering the 2012 NFL Draft, he was considered a versatile player who can play both cornerback and safety. This was one of the reasons why the New England Patriots selected him in the second round of the draft with 48th overall pick. During his time with the Patriots, he won Super Bowl XLIX in 2014. In 2016 he decided to sign with the Lions on two-year, $2.2 million contract.
Safety and former 4th round draft pick, Miles Killebrew is expected to fill the open spot in the starting squad. Killebrew has 28 tackles and one interception for the Lions this season.
“He’s coming along,” said coach Caldwell when asked about Killebrew. “He’s making steps forward and he’s coming.“
Detroit Lions are currently in the second place of NFC North with a 6-5 record. Their next game will be on Sunday against the Ravens in Baltimore.
