Lions defensive end Kerry Hyder will miss the remainder of the season with a torn Achilles after he suffered the injury in Sunday’s game against the Colts.
Hyder, a breakout star who led the Lions last season with eight sacks, was pressuring Indy quarterback Scott Tolzien in the first quarter when he slipped and hit the ground, immediately clutching his lower left leg.
“He’s got a significant Achilles injury,” said coach Jim Caldwell. “The doctors will take a look at him. But it doesn’t look good.”
The injury is a grave one for Detroit, which is now without all four of its top defensive ends. Ezekiel Ansah, Cornelius Washington and Armonty Bryant all sat out the preseason win with injuries. Ansah is still on the physically unable to perform list.
Washington and Bryant are getting closer to returning, but Bryant is also already suspended the first four games of the season because of a violation of the league’s substance abuse policy.
That means Detroit was forced to give undrafted rookies such as Alex Barrett and Jeremiah Valoaga first-team work. They actually played well, leading the team with six tackles apiece. And they also combined for two of Detroit’s five sacks.
