Detroit coach Jim Caldwell 'strongly' considers sitting Calvin Johnson

Detroit Lions coach Jim Caldwell said he is "strongly" considering holding receiver Calvin Johnson out this coming weekend's game against the Minnesota Vikings, ESPN NFL Nation's Michael Rothstein reported on Monday morning.

Detroit Lions coach Jim Caldwell said he is "strongly" considering holding receiver Calvin Johnson out for this coming weekend's game against the Minnesota Vikings, ESPN NFL Nation's Michael Rothstein reported on Monday morning.

Caldwell's comments came after Johnson appeared to aggravate his ankle injury against the Buffalo Bills on Sunday. He first suffered the injury against the Green Bay Packers in Week 3. 

Johnson left the field holding his leg after catching a seven-yard pass from quarterback Matthew Stafford.

"Just being straightforward, I'm going to think about it again this week," Caldwell said. "Strongly. So we'll see."

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According to Rothstein, Johnson has missed Wednesday and Thursday practices in each of the past two weeks. He has seen limited action in the team's previous two games, a home victory over the New York Jets and a road loss to the Bills.

Johnson did not return to the field against Buffalo. After the game, Caldwell said Johnson would be further evaluated on Monday, but did not give any further details this morning.

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In the first three games this season, Johnson had 19 receptions for 329 yards and two touchdowns. In the last two weeks, he has just 19 yards on three catches.

Detroit is 3-2 so far this season and is tied for first in the NFC North with the Green Bay Packers.

They travel to Minnesota to play the Vikings this weekend.

- Christopher Woody