Patricia: Kerryon Johnson's Status Unclear After Injury Against Vikings

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97.1 The Ticket -- Lions running back Kerryon Johnson's status remains unclear after suffering an injury to his right knee during Sunday's 42-30 home loss to the Vikings.

Head coach Matt Patricia said Johnson met with team doctors Monday, but he did not have much of an update on his starting back's status. He expects to learn more after meeting with the medical staff on Tuesday, he said.

Johnson was present for team meetings Monday and Patricia said he briefly spoke to him. Johnson told Patricia he was "fine," though the conversation didn't go any deeper.

"I mean a lot of the players tell me they’re fine when I kind of walk by casually. All I’m saying is I saw him, spoke to him, he’s here and going through all of the stuff," Patricia said Monday.

ESPN's Adam Schefter tweeted Monday night that Johnson is "expected to miss 'some time,'" but Patricia wasn't sure yet. When asked whether surgery was a possibility for Johnson, Patricia deferred and said he will know more after speaking with Johnson and doctors Tuesday -- "more than just 24 hours out.

Lions’ RB Kerryon Johnson is expected to miss “some time” with a knee injury, per source. For now, Johnson will be called week to week.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 21, 2019

Johnson apparently suffered the injury late in the first quarter. On his last carry of the day, with just under 5:00 to play in the quarter, Johnson picked up a 6-yard gain before teammate Jesse James appeared to land on Johnson's leg awkwardly. Though Johnson stayed in the game for several more snaps, he never touched the ball again and was seen wearing a knee brace and riding a stationary bike.

If Johnson were to miss time, the Lions would be left with backups J.D. McKissic and rookie Ty Johnson as the only two backs on the roster, perhaps leading the Lions to explore the free agent market or bringing in Paul Perkins off the practice squad.

Kerryon Johnson, the Lions' 2018 second-round draft pick, is averaging just 3.3 yards per carry through six games this season. During his injury-shortened campaign a year ago, Johnson averaged 5.4 yards a carry in 10 games.

The Lions (2-3-1) host the Giants Sunday, looking to snap a three-game losing streak after a 2-0-1 start to the year.