The Detroit Lions are bracing for life without their No. 2 receiver after Nate Burlesonbroke his arm in two places during a single-car wreck early Tuesday morning.
Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press first reported that Burleson will undergo surgery, and the Lions later released a statement confirming the accident and the injury. Lions coach Jim Schwartz said the team currently doesn't plan to place Burleson on injured reserve and, "Nate will be back at some point."
Police told Birkett that "alcohol was not a factor, seatbelts were utilized and airbags were deployed."
Birkett was told by authorities that Burleson struck the center median "when he became distracted by an item falling off his front seat."
The item? Pizza.
Burleson, 32, leads the Lions with 19 receptions and is coming off his best performance in six years after scorching the Washington Redskins on Sunday for 116 yards on six catches.
It's a rugged setback for the Lions, who now look to young Ryan Broyles to step into the No. 2 spot alongside Calvin Johnson. Broyles, in his second campaign, got 17 snaps against the Redskins in his first appearance this season.
"Every time he's gone in the game for us, he's made plays," Schwartz said of Broyles on Monday.
That was a luxury last week; it's a necessity from here on out.
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