The Detroit Lions’ three-game losing streak is over, but they might have even bigger problems.
Kenny Golladay caught the game-winning 19-yard touchdown pass from Matthew Stafford with 5:13 as the Lions beat the Carolina Panthers on Sunday, 20-19, for their first victory in nearly a month, but running back Kerryon Johnson left the game in the second half with a potentially serious knee injury.
Johnson had 87 yards rushing on 15 carries before injuring his knee with about 4 minutes to play in the third quarter.
He was hurt when he reversed field on a 3-yard run and was brought down by two Panthers defenders.
Johnson limped immediately to the sideline and appeared to be in serious pain as doctors examined his left knee behind the Lions bench.
He walked to the locker room under his own power, but was ruled out of the game.
David Chao, the former team doctor for the San Diego Chargers who regularly and accurately diagnoses injuries on Twitter, wrote that he fears Johnson suffered a torn ACL.
Johnson is arguably the Lions’ Most Valuable Player through 10 games, and he was the team’s best offensive weapon Sunday, accounting for 97 yards from scrimmage before his injury.
It appears doubtful he’ll play when the Lions return to Ford Field for their annual Thanksgiving game on Thursday, and could miss even more significant time.
The Lions scored the go-ahead touchdown with Johnson in the locker room Sunday as Matthew Stafford led them on nine-play, 75-yard scoring drive capped by Golladay’s diving touchdown catch on third-and-10.
The Panthers and Lions traded three-and-outs, but Cam Newton marched Carolina downfield on a six-play, 75-yard touchdown drive on its final possession.
Newton, who completed 25 of 37 passes for 357 yards and three touchdowns, found D.J. Moore for an 8-yard touchdown in the back of the end zone.
But rather than try the game-tying extra point, the Panthers, who already had missed one field goal and an extra point on the day, tried for the game-winning two-point conversion.
Newton had plenty of time to throw, and Jarius Wright was open in the middle of the end zone, but Newton airmailed a pass over his head and the Lions recovered the onside kick for the win.
The Lions, 4-6 on the season, have won two games this year thanks in part to poor kicking by their opponent. They beat the Green Bay Packers, 31-23, in October when Mason Crosby missed four field goals and an extra point.
Stafford finished 23 of 37 passing for 220 yards Sunday, and Golladay led the Lions with eight catches for 113 yards.
The Lions played without No. 2 receiver Marvin Jones because of a knee injury.
Moore had seven catches for 157 yards for the Panthers, who were a perfect 11 for 11 on field goals this season before Graham Gano’s 34-yard miss in the third quarter.
Contact Dave Birkett: dbirkett@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @davebirkett. Download our Lions Xtra app for free on Apple and Android!
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