Calvin Johnson misses practice again

ALLEN PARK, Mich. -- For the second straight day, Calvin Johnson missed practice for the Detroit Lions with an ankle injury.

At this point, though, his status is uncertain for Sunday against the New York Jets.

"Anytime that someone doesn't practice, in particular when it's not just a day of rest, which we would indicate on the medical report, there's always some concern," Lions coach Jim Caldwell said.

Johnson injured the ankle late during the Lions' 19-7 win over Green Bay on Sunday and indicated both after the game and Wednesday that he felt he would be fine.

Johnson missed part of at least half of Detroit's practices last season as he dealt with finger and knee issues that ended up requiring separate surgeries following the 2013 season.

He had been healthy throughout this season until Sunday and is fourth in the NFL with 329 receiving yards through three games.

Caldwell indicated he does believe in rest days for veterans, and he gave Johnson one of those during a training camp scrimmage. He also held Johnson out of Detroit's first two preseason games this year to try and keep him healthy.

"We participate in them," Caldwell said, referring to rest days for veterans. "We do them whenever it's needed and warranted, we try to adjust accordingly."

If Johnson is unable to play Sunday, the Lions would likely look for receivers Corey Fuller and Ryan Broyles, along with tight end Eric Ebron, to have increased roles in the offense.

The Lions were also without tight end Joseph Fauria on Thursday, as he was undergoing an MRI on his ankle, which he injured in a nonfootball-related activity Wednesday night.