The Detroit Lions are preparing for a big matchup against the red hot Arizona Cardinals. The Lions' offense is slowly coming together and Matthew Stafford will need everyone healthy if they are going to get past a very tough Cardinals defense. However, while players like Calvin Johnson are healthy, the run game could be a man down if Reggie Bush sits.
Bush is currently fighting an ankle injury that was thought to be relatively healed, but the running back aggravated the injury again in the win over the Miami Dolphins last week. Bush has not been seen at practice, causing some to doubt his ability to play in Week 11. Head coach Jim Caldwell would only say that Bush was held out of practice so that the running back could focus on healing and try to be ready for Week 11 and the final stretch of the season. Johnson played through an ankle injury in the early weeks of the season and Bush might have to do the same against the Cardinals.
If Bush is not able to play, the Lions will rely on Joique Bell and Theo Riddick to take care of the rushing game against the tough front seven of the Cardinals' defense. Bell is perfectly capable of handling an increased work load. He currently ranks first on the team in rushing with 357 yards while also putting up 174 receiving yards. Riddick is enjoying a breakout year, having scored a receiving touchdown in the past three games for the Lions. Bell and Riddick are essentially the same type of running back that offer many options for Stafford and could be keys to a Week 11 win.
Johnson is preparing to get the very best of Arizona, noting he is excited to go up against Patrick Peterson. The elite cornerback and Johnson have put on good showings in the past and this year will be no different. Peterson went on a radio show and called Johnson one of the most dynamic wide receivers in the game and the respect is mutual between the players.
"No doubt there's respect," Johnson said, via MLive.com. "You've got players that play hard out there on the field, make plays for their team. So, there's definitely a big level of respect there."
Johnson and Golden Tate led the Lions offense last week and look to do the same again in Week 11. The two receivers both recorded over 100 yards and that type of performance will be required against the Cardinals' elite secondary.
