CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- The Detroit Lions have lost a starting cornerback for the second straight week - and Nevin Lawson might be out for a long time.
Lions coach Jim Caldwell said Lawson dislocated his left foot during the third quarter helping on punt return coverage and was immediately carted off the field. Caldwell said he was in surgery already following the Lions' 24-7 loss to Carolina.
"We're praying for the young man," Caldwell said.
Caldwell said the team will wait for the prognosis following surgery before making any other decisions on him. The Lions do not have their injured reserve/designated to return tag left this season because the team used it on rookie linebacker Kyle Van Noy before the first game of the season.
Lawson had been put in the starting lineup this week to replace Bill Bentley, who was placed on injured reserve after tearing his ACL on Monday against the New York Giants. The Lions promoted Nate Ness from the practice squad to replace Bentley.
If Lawson is out for an extended period of time, the Lions have three healthy cornerbacks: Rashean Mathis, Darius Slay and Cassius Vaughn.
"Stuff happens but we have depth out there," Mathis said. "Cassius was able to step in there and play good at nickel. It's just the next man up and it has been two weeks but we just got to step up and be ready to play."