Caldwell provides little on Warford, Reid ankle sprains
Allen Park — Lions coach Jim Caldwell didn't have many details about the high ankle sprains Larry Warford and Caraun Reid sustained in Thursday's exhibition against Washington.
"It's going to be a little while, but I'm not certain," he said. "I couldn't give you an exact time frame with any of those guys."
Warford, the starting right guard, and Reid, who's been one of the starting defensive tackles for most of camp, both exited in the first quarter and did not return, remaining in the locker room for the second half, too.
Those were far from the only players nicked up Thursday, though. Defensive end Ziggy Ansah, who was limping at times during the game, sat out Friday's brief practice session. He was wearing a wrap on his right ankle as he exited the team facility.
Second-year linebacker Kyle Van Noy also didn't practice, instead stretching with a trainer.
"They've got a bit of an injury, so we'll see how long it takes them to get back," Caldwell said of Van Noy.
One injured player about whom Caldwell did provide a legitimate update was tight end Jordan Thompson, who needed the assistant of two trainers to walk off the field in the fourth quarter.
"Jordan Thompson's injury is pretty significant, so it'll be a little while," Caldwell said, adding the second-year player underwent an MRI Friday.
The Lions had their worst participation in a practice since training camp began earlier this month. In addition to those five injured players, rookie linebacker Kevin Snyder (hand) was out. Wide receiver Lance Moore was still away from the team after having a baby girl Wednesday. The Lions also cut safety Taylor Mays and rookie receiver Jarred Haggins before practice.
A bit of good news for the Lions, though, was that rookie cornerback Alex Carter (ankle) participated briefly with the scout team during practice, though the plays weren't at full speed. The third-round pick has yet to practice after suffering the injury a few days before camp began.
"He's pretty close," Caldwell said of Carter returning to full practices.
While Reid's injury could give Tyrunn Walker the upper hand in the competition to see who starts next to Haloti Ngata, Warford's absence presents a challenge to the coaches. On Friday, Taylor Boggs filled in with the first-team offense at right guard, not Laken Tomlinson or Manny Ramirez who are competing to start at left guard.
Tomlinson started 52 games at right guard in college, but the Lions want him to be the long-term solution on the left side. Before putting him in Warford's spot, Caldwell said the team will consider whether or not it'll disrupt his learning curve.
"Those guys are all interchangeable in there, and that's the great thing about that position," he said.
Caldwell was non-committal about whether or not Warford or Reid will play again in the preseason. He said both players still need work, though, so the Lions might not be overly cautious like they've been with wide receiver Calvin Johnson, who sat the last two games. Reid needs to reps after playing sparingly as a rookie, and Warford has to adjust to playing with a new center — Travis Swanson — as well as a new left guard.
"Any time you've got five people that have to be on the same page all the time in order to make it right, they'll need some work," Caldwell said.
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