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Post-practice on Monday, Detroit Lions coach Jim Caldwell announced that linebacker Jon Bostic underwent an unspecified surgery earlier in the day. Bostic suffered a leg injury during the Lions’ joint practice with the Steelers last week. Shortly after Caldwell made the announcement, ESPN’s Josina Anderson reported that the surgery was on Bostic’s fifth metatarsal bone in his foot.
Now Anderson is reporting that recovery from the surgery could take a few months:
Source: #Lions LB Jon Bostic has been told the fracture in his 5th metatarsal will keep him out approx b/w 6-12 wks depending on his rehab.
— Josina Anderson (@JosinaAnderson) August 16, 2016
With this diagnosis, the Lions may want to consider placing Bostic on the injured reserve list. Remember, the Lions can choose to take one player off of the IR list after six weeks. Because of a new rule change, teams no longer have to make the “short-term IR” designation when placing a player on IR. They can simply bring back any single player from IR after serving the appropriate time on the list.
Bostic appeared to be making progress in the Lions’ thin depth chart at linebacker, so holding onto him may be worth it. But with the Lions desperate to get help right away at linebacker, even with the return of DeAndre Levy, Bostic may not be worth the roster spot. Placing Bostic on IR could save the Lions a little bit of trouble.