:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/50310707/491480622.0.jpg)
After some early struggles during the Detroit Lions Mock Game on Saturday, Eric Ebron and the first-string offense were finally starting to get things turned around. Ebron caught a few huge passes, setting up the Lions first-team’s first touchdown of the game.
But not long thereafter, Ebron suffered what appeared to be a pretty significant injury.
Ebron down on the field and grabbing the back of his right leg/ankle/Achilles, will be carted off the field
— Dave Birkett (@davebirkett) August 6, 2016
Reports from fans and media in attendance noted Ebron was in visible distress after the play, putting no pressure on his right leg.
Ebron had to be carted off the field:
Eric Ebron, head down after being carted off field with lower leg injury pic.twitter.com/mSYXGFyVFH
— Kyle Meinke (@kmeinke) August 6, 2016
If Ebron is lost for a significant amount of time, this would be a huge blow to the Lions offense. Early reports out of training camp had Ebron as one of the player most primed to break out in 2016. With the Lions already incredibly shorthanded at tight end, the Lions cannot afford to go into the season with both Ebron and Brandon Pettigrew on the sidelines.
UPDATE #1 - 1:30 p.m. ET - Ian Rapoport is reporting the early word is Ebron may have ruptured his Achilles. If true, Ebron is done for the year.
The early word on #Lions TE Eric Ebron getting carted off is that he suffered an Achilles injury, I’m told. Could be devastating.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 6, 2016
UPDATE #2 - 4:00 p.m. ET - Ebron posted a Snapchat of himself dancing in the car, perhaps suggesting he is not as injured as originally thought.
UPDATE #3 - 4:09 p.m. ET - Rapoport is now reporting that Ebron has told a few teammates that he’s okay:
#Lions TE Eric Ebron, who suffered an Achilles injury today, has indicated to at least two teammates that he’s OK… So could be minor.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 6, 2016
UPDATE #4 - Aug. 8, 12:00 p.m. ET - Dave Birkett is now reporting that the injury is not an Achilles, but rather an ankle injury. After showing up to practice without a cast or walking boot, Ebron's injury is no longer considered season-threatening.