Lions injuries continue, but are not end of the world

The news that Jeff Backus and Gosder Cherilus, the starting offensive tackles, were both battling injuries was enough for Lions fans to question if a curse really hung over the franchise. Then, third-round pick Titus Young was out with a hamstring injury, followed by first-round pick Nick Fairley having surgery for a broken foot and the curse was all but confirmed.

But, being Lions fans, we should all know that it can always get worse, and it did. Earlier today, it was announced that second-round pick Mikel LeShoure suffered a torn Achilles' tendon and would miss the entire season.

That's right, the top two picks of this season's draft are both out, one for the entire year, and the third pick is practicing on a very limited basis. Although I am not a believer in a "curse" or anything of the sort, it is extremely disheartening to see so many injuries, especially to young players expected to have specific contributing roles for this team.

But, this is the 2011 Detroit Lions, not the 2008 Detroit Lions who went 0-16. Neither Fairley or LeShoure are, or were, expected to start this season. While they were both counted on to contribute, that is a big difference from years past when rookies were expected to come in and be starters.

Another encouraging sign is that Fairley, although expected to miss most of training camp according to the Lions, should be ready to go early on during the season. His presence throughout camp and the pre-season would have gone a long way in his development, but the key to drafting him is having a player of his caliber as the season wears on and fellow defensive lineman begin to get banged up and wear down. If he is back at the end of August, which is expected, then there is no reason to not have confidence he won't contribute to the defense as expected.

What LeShoure would have brought to the Lions offense probably can't be matched by any free agent, or trade option available to them. But, LeShoure was going to be counted on in certain situations, such as third down and late in the game when the Lions were trying to kill the clock. He was not going to start, as that role belongs to Jahvid Best, who the Lions traded back into the first-round last year to draft.

One name to keep an eye on is Jerome Harrison, formerly of the Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Ravens. The Michigan native is still available in free agency and would be a great pickup for the Lions.

Last season, Harrison carried the ball 70 times for 331 yards, an average of 4.6 yards per carry. With decent blocking, Harrison can provide the tough, inside yards that the Lions will need at time this season.

The point is, while the injuries do hurt the Lions, they are not the end to this year's team and do not kill any chance at this year's playoffs.

Last year, the Packers lost starting running back, Ryan Grant, in the first game of their season. Although they had to go through the rest of the season with a running back by committee approach, they were still able to do the two most important things, block and play defense, and were able to reach and win the Super Bowl.

I'm not saying that the Lions will reach the Super Bowl this season, but these injuries can be overcome.

Photo courtesy of Daniel Mears/Detroit Free Press