The Detroit Lions were dealt a significant blow during their first pre-season game against the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday. Defensive end Kerry Hyder is now expected to miss the rest of the season with a significant achilles injury.
Kerry Hyder is expected to miss the season with an Achilles injury. "It really makes you sick to your stomach." https://t.co/H1VzYtPNkg pic.twitter.com/2r2k0Ta9hU
— kyle meinke (@kmeinke) August 13, 2017
Hyder was carted off the field after losing his footing and falling to the ground while pressuring Colts quarterback Scott Tolzien. He immediately writhed in pain and was attended to by team trainers before being unable to put any pressure on his leg as the cart came out.
Afterwards, Lions head coach Jim Caldwell described the injury as “significant”.
“He’s got a significant Achilles injury,” Caldwell said. “The doctors will take a look at him. But it doesn’t look good. He worked so hard and it’s tough anytime any guy gets injured. He put a lot of time into getting ready for the season and those kind of things, so it’s a difficult thing.”
Hyder emerged as an effective pass rusher and led the Lions with eight sacks last season. He was expected to be a starter for the team this season opposite Ziggy Ansah, who has been on the PUP (Physically Unable to Perform) list since the beginning of Detroit’s training camp.
Sep 18, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Tennessee Titans offensive tackle Jack Conklin (78) defends against Detroit Lions defensive end Kerry Hyder (61) during the fourth quarter at Ford Field. Titans win 16-15. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY SportsCoincidently, his breakout performance came during Detroit’s first regular season game last year – also at Lucas Field Stadium in Indianapolis against the Colts. Hyder finished the game with three tackles and two sacks.
Hyder’s absence presents an even steeper hill for Detroit’s defensive game to climb. The team was already missing Ansah, Cornelius Washington and Armonty Bryant. Additionally, the team also lost Brandon Copeland to injury during the game.
“It just makes you very sick to your stomach — like you’re going to throw up,” said DE Anthony Zettel. “Because you see the guy outwork everybody. Awesome teammate, better person, awesome father, brother. He’s everything, man. And to see a guy like that go down, it really makes you sick to your stomach, because he’s done nothing wrong.”
