Skip to main content

Report: Lions LT Backus injures left pectoral; status unclear

Lions left tackle Jeff Backus recently suffered a left pectoral injury, which could impact his availability for the start of training camp, the *Detroit Free Press* reported Wednesday.

The injury is believed to be a partially torn muscle, according to the newspaper, but neither Backus nor his agent, Pat Dye, would comment.

A team source told the Free Press that Backus' setback was "not serious," but the lineman's absence would create issues for the offense, seeing as right tackle Gosder Cherilus is returning from microfracture knee surgery.

Backus, 33, has been a model of consistency since the Lions selected him in the first round of the 2001 NFL Draft, starting every game in 10 seasons.

The Lions held two player-led workouts during the NFL lockout, with the most-recent session ending June 10. There is no indication that Backus suffered the injury during either session.