Matthew Stafford will be without his security blanket for another week.
All-Pro wideout Calvin Johnsonwill miss his second straight game, NFL Media's Albert Breer reported.
Hampered by an ankle injury he suffered last month, the talented pass-catcher will not play Sunday against the New Orleans Saints. Johnson wasn't running routes with the other receivers in warmups and was just shagging balls, according to Breer.
He is officially inactive.
Stafford has sorely missed Johnson. In the past two weeks the quarterback has completed just one pass of 15-plus air yards. In Weeks 1-4 he completed 13 of such passes.
Golden Tate will lead a nondescript Lions receiving corps Sunday.
Rookie tight end Eric Ebron is also out for Detroit, meaning Brandon Pettigrew will play a larger role in the passing game.
Expect Detroit to lean on the ground game with Joique Bell and Reggie Bush given all the injuries in the passing attack.
The latest Around The NFL Podcast previews every Week 7 game and recaps the Patriots' win over the Jets. Find more Around The NFL content on NFL NOW.
