Thursday's injury report: Still a big Hill to climb
WR Calvin Johnson, RT Gosder Cherilus and S Kalvin Pearson all returned to practice Thursday on a limited basis. But still not practicing -- and likely out for Sunday -- are QB Matthew Stafford (no surprise there), DE Dewayne White, DT Sammie Hill and S Ko Simpson.
And if you ask me which one will be missed the most Sunday -- aside from Stafford -- my answer might surprise you. I'd say it's Hill, and I'd never have guessed I'd be saying that about the big rookie lineman a month or two ago.
Neither did Gunther Cunningham, the Lions' defensive coordinator, but I think he might agree with me. I asked him Wednesday how much the Lions missed Hill in the Chicago game, and Cunningham replied quickly, "A lot."
"I think we missed him a lot," he continued. "He's a big man and he takes up a lot of space, and the guys who are playing in his place aren't anywhere near his size. Sammie's a disruptive force already, and he doesn't even know how to play yet. I watched him walk (last) Friday and, boy, I was pulling for him. Before I went to sleep, I said a prayer, but God didn't answer it. Hopefully he'll do it this week."
Doesn't look like that'll be the case, though.
