Lions Rookie Running Back Mikel Leshoure Out For The Season

After being carted off the field early Monday morning with what was described as a “lower leg injury,” the news just got worse for Detroit Lions rookie running back Mikel Leshoure. According to head coach Jim Schwartz, Leshoure has torn his Achilles tendon and will miss the entire season.

Leshoure reportedly hit the turf hard after being tackled high by defensive end Cliff Avrill in practice.

The Lions took Leshoure with the 57th pick in this year’s draft, hoping that he could be the power back in a one-two punch tandem with multipurpose back Jahvid Best. That certainly would have created an imposing backfield for opponents to deal with, but now the Lions will have to look elsewhere for someone to fill that role.

Leshoure rushed for 1,697 yards and 17 touchdowns as a junior at Illinois in 2010. He will have surgery as early as tomorrow.

Veteran Maurice Morris will step in to the No. 2 role with Leshoure out, but that clearly will not be a long-term solution to the need for an inside runner. A guy like Ricky Williams is still on the market and ESPN’s Adam Schefter things he could be a good fit. Another name is Tiki Barber, but we’ve already discussed how any team that added him would be playing with fire.

One thing is for sure, the Lions have to add another back very soon, since Morris will not be the power running option they need.

UPDATE: So much for that idea, Ricky Williams will not be added to the Lions because he elected to sign with the Baltimore Ravens. Other options are Jerome Harrison or possibly Clinton Portis.