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Detroit Lions wide receiver Nate Burleson had surgery on Wednesday to repair his broken arm. The surgery went well, according to his agent, and Burleson is planning on returning in November at the latest, according to ESPN's Ed Werder. Also according to Werder, Burleson will be on the sideline on Sunday for the Lions' game against the Chicago Bears.
When Burleson suffered his arm injury in a car accident earlier this week, a trade seemed like the best way to replace him. So far, though, the Lions haven't made any moves at the wide receiver position. For now, they're moving forward with the plan of replacing Burleson from within, and it appears that Ryan Broyles will become a much bigger part of the offense as a result.
Scott Linehan said the Lions will replace Burleson with Broyles and a collective effort from other guys.
— Tim Twentyman (@ttwentyman) September 26, 2013
Broyles stepped in for Burleson after an injury last year, and that's when his production really started to take off. Broyles made his 2013 debut last week, although he didn't play a whole lot. Chances are the story will be much different this week, as the Lions are going to have to rely on Broyles and others with Burleson out. A trade still seems like the right move if the Lions can find a good deal, but if not, they will just have to get by until Burleson comes back in a couple months.