Calvin Johnson is indeed active

Detroit Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson (81) before the game against the Chicago Bears at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports

Detroit Lions star WR Calvin Johnson came into today as a full-blown game-time decision, and the great news for fantasy owners and Lions fans is that Johnson has ended up on the right side of the game-time decision spectrum. It is unclear how much Johnson will be able to play due to the knee injury, but the Lions really wanted him to be able to play on crucial third downs and red zone plays due to his height, athleticism, and just overall monstrous talent. His importance to the Lions offense was highlighted last week, as he was a surprise inactive for that game with the knee injury and thus the Lions offense stalled to just nine points. And that was against the Green Bay Packers defense.

Calvin Johnson has four touchdown receptions through four games this season, and he is averaging 78 receiving yards per game despite commanding even more attention than usual. With Nate Burleson out, losing Johnson for another week would have been extremely difficult. The Cleveland Browns offense may be putrid, but they have an excellent defense and could have made things dicey with Johnson out.

I wouldn’t expect Johnson to do much in the way of fantasy production, because the Browns have one of the best corners in the league in Joe Haden. Beyond that, the Lions could very well only leave Johnson in for red zone and third-down plays.

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