Lions, Johnson deny concussion, nerve damage
The Detroit Lions and wide receiver Calvin Johnson released statements Friday saying that Johnson does not have a concussion or nerve damage.
Johnson has claimed that he sustained a concussion from a helmet-to-helmet hit against the Minnesota Vikings on Sept. 30.
The team has denied that he has a concussion.
Johnson said Thursday that he also has lingering nerve damage.
The two parties released separate statements clarifying that Johnson just has a stinger in his neck and shoulder area, according to the Detroit News.
"I would like to clarify some of my comments from yesterday," Johnson said in a statement released through the team's media relations department. "I am aware that I did not suffer a concussion in our game against the Vikings earlier this year. I misused the terms 'nerve damage' and 'concussion.'
"I have not suffered any nerve damage nor have I received any treatment for nerve damage. I did suffer a stinger and have also experienced the kind of wear and tear that most NFL players are dealing with at this point in the season."
Stingers, also known as pinched nerves, cause players to temporarily lose feeling in their arms and hands associated with nerve damage.
"With respect to the Minnesota game on Sept. 30, Calvin sustained a hit that resulted in him being removed from the game and evaluated pursuant to the appropriate concussion protocol by our team doctors," the Lions said in a statement. "He was also subsequently examined the following day and was found to have no concussion.
"Additionally, Calvin did not suffer any nerve damage. He sustained what is referred to as a 'stinger' and was able to finish the game."
The Detroit News reported that the Lions are specifying Johnson's injury situation to avoid being fined by the NFL for not properly reporting them.
"We have credibility when it comes to concussions," coach Jim Schwartz said. "Our player safety is extremely important to us. And we think an awful lot of Calvin. We're not going to put Calvin out there if he is in any kind of danger.
"We also know when you follow up one concussion with another one quickly, there is exponential risk. With the contract we signed Calvin to (seven years, $132 million), we are going to make sure there is no issue there. We feel very strongly in our evaluation."
The Lions recently shut down running back Jahvid Best for the season based on concussion test results he took. Best has not played since late last season because of concussions.
Johnson did not appear on this week's injury report with a stinger but has missed practice for the last three weeks due to a sore left knee.
"We have a lot of guys who suffer a lot of things that don't affect their ability to go out and practice or don't affect their ability to play in the game," Schwartz said. "If something is bothering somebody and it's something that pulls them out (of practice), then we put it on the injury report."
Johnson did practice on Friday and is expected to play against the Vikings on Sunday.
