Lions' Caldwell refuses to disclose nature of Levy's injury

Allen Park — When it comes to linebacker DeAndre Levy’s lingering injury, silence is apparently golden for the Lions.

One of the Lions’ top defensive players, Levy hasn’t practiced in nearly a month and sat the final two exhibitions as well as the Week 1 loss to the San Diego Chargers. Having not practiced this week, it looks like Levy won’t play in Week 2 either, and coach Jim Caldwell declined to provide any clarity when asked when he would return.

“We certainly fill out the medical report every single day and that’s what we’ll go by,” he said.

The Lions listed Levy with a hip injury last week when the NFL started to request injury reports for the regular season. Before last Wednesday, the team had even declined to say which body part was ailing him.

Without providing detailed information on Levy’s injury, though, the Lions have left the ailment open to speculation.

A report Thursday suggested that Levy might be dealing with a parasite he contracted during an offseason trip to Chile, and Caldwell would not comment on the report.

“I don’t address rumors and innuendo,” he said. “I don’t address reports that don’t come from us.”

Joe Panos, Levy’s agent, did deny the report, though.

“It’s 100 percent false,” he said in a brief phone interview before saying that Levy is indeed dealing with a “muscle pull.”

The Lions could face discipline from the NFL if their injury report is inaccurate.

“If we had something of that nature, it’d be on the report,” Caldwell said.

The Dallas Cowboys said this week which bone star receiver Dez Bryant broke in his football and provided a timetable for his return. The Arizona Cardinals said which ligament is ailing running back Andre Ellington and provided an estimated absence, too. Yet, Caldwell has consistently refused to provide details on Levy, and he said that’s because injuries are a specialty of doctors, not coaches.

“I haven’t seen too many coaches that give great detailed information in terms of accurate information on different issues that pop up with players,” he said. “(It’s) roundabout, some are inaccurate; I’d like to stay away from those inaccuracies.”

However, still agitated from the line of questioning during his news conference about 30 minutes prior, Caldwell walked over to reporters during the open portion of practice to inquire about the nature of the report.

“Do you follow anything that shows up on anywhere and just like take it as the gospel?” he said.

However, Caldwell again declined to deny the rumor and would not say whether or not the injury was related to football, instead reaffirming that he won’t comment on “rumors and innuendo.”

With the Lions placing rookie cornerback Alex Carter on injured reserve with designation for return, it’d be logical to assume the team expects Levy back within the first eight games, but Caldwell wouldn’t provide clarity on that decision.

“We have a little bit more information than you have, so we thought obviously the avenue in which we took is the appropriate one at this time,” he said.

jkatzenstein@detroitnews.com

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