The Lions were paper-thin along their beastly defensive line Sunday.
Behemoth tackle Nick Fairley prematurely left Detroit's 22-21 victory in London against the Atlanta Falcons with a right knee injury, the team announced.
The fourth-year lineman's knee bent backward awkwardly in a second-quarter collision with teammate Ndamukong Suh. He was carted off the field at Wembley Stadium to the locker room and did not return.
It's an ugly loss for the Lions, who had to turn to fifth-round tackle Caraun Reid to fill the void after C.J. Mosley was shipped home Saturday with a two-game suspension for violating team rules.
Now that Week 8 is in full swing, here's who else we're tracking in the latest edition of our injury roundup:
- Bengals receiver A.J. Green told NFL Media's Stacey Dales he will return next week after missing three games with a toe injury.
- Cincinnati running back Giovani Bernardinjured his right hip and did not return. Guard Kevin Zeitler (calf) left and stayed out.
- Soon after his 46-yard, stiff-arm laden touchdown romp against the Bears, New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski left the game due to dehydration and remained out.Â
- Jacksonville Jaguars left tackle Luke Joeckel (concussion) was ruled out of Sunday's game.Â
- Rams wide receiver Brian Quick (shoulder/wrist) was taken into the St. Louis locker room, while offensive lineman Rodger Saffold injured his shoulder. Offensive tackle Jake Long hurt his knee. All three did not return.
Per NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport, St. Louis is concerned that Long tore his ACL, per a source informed of the situation. He will have an MRI on Sunday night to confirm the extent of the injury. UPDATE: Rapoport reported Monday morning that tests confirmed Long tore his ACL.
- Chicago Bears cornerback Kyle Fuller (hamstring) did not return after leaving with a hip injury. The rookie was replaced by Al Louis-Jean. Meanwhile, linebacker Darryl Sharpton (hamstring) was ruled out for the game.
Pass rusher Lamarr Houston was carted off the field after he hurt his knee celebrating a sack when his team was down four possessions in the fourth quarter. Per Rapoport, Houston will have an MRI on his knee on Monday -- and he's preparing for the worst.Â
- Baltimore Ravens cornerback Jimmy Smith was carted off the field to have his foot examined, per the team. He did not return. Also for the Ravens: Torrey Smith was evaluated for a possible concussion but later returned to the game.
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Doug Martin did not return to Sunday's loss to the Minnesota Vikings after suffering an ankle injury.
- Both Indianapolis Colts cornerback Vontae Davis and linebacker Erik Walden (hip) were ruled out of Sunday's contest with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
- Arizona cornerback Patrick Peterson and Philadelphia Eagles wideout Jeremy Maclin collided during Sunday's game and were both taken off the field to be evaluated. Maclin re-entered the game shortly after, but Peterson was ruled out. Bruce Arians announced after the game that Peterson is going through the league's concussion protocol.Â
In other Cardinals injury news, running back Stepfan Taylor (calf) also left the game and didn't return. Per KGME-AM, Taylor was seen in a walking boot after the game.
- Browns tight end Jordan Cameron left Sunday's game against the Raiders after suffering a concussion and didn't return. Cornerback K'Waun Williams suffered a neck stinger and was ruled out.
- Packers guard T.J. Lang was ruled out of Sunday night's game against the Saints with an ankle injury.
The latest Around The NFL Podcast recaps every Week 8 game. Find more Around The NFL content on NFL NOW.
