Lions OC Scott Linehan said the coaches and the medical staff have walked the line between not easing Ryan Broyles in and not rushing him back. But he has progressed so much in the last couple of weeks, there doesn’t seem to be physical reason to hold him back.
“He’s chomping the bit,” Linehan said. “He’s a true competitor and he wants to be out there. But he also knows that there has been a plan and he’s been through it. He’s been on track the same way, but the last two weeks he’s looked more and more like he’s ready to go.”
Whether coach Jim Schwartz is ready to activate him won’t be determined until Saturday.
“This is a big week,” Linehan said. “With Pat (Edwards, receiver) banged up a little bit right now, Ryan has stepped up his role and his reps this week. He’s definitely close, and if called upon, he’s ready.”
Broyles said he knows he’s not ready to play 30 or 40 snaps in a game, but believes he is close to full strength.
“My time’s coming, though,” he said. “I’m going repetition after repetition (in practice), so I have done everything and I am gaining speed to this point.”
Broyles was one of fantasy's favorite sleepers heading into drafts but he's been inactive the first two weeks. The Lions say it's not for physical reasons, but that makes little sense. They are obviously being careful with the knee, but with Edwards possibly sidelined with an ankle injury, Broyles may get his chance this week.
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