DETROIT -- Kasey Redfern fought four long years to make an NFL roster. Such is life as a backup punter in the NFL. You have to be good, and you have to be lucky, or you're not going to stick.

Then both happened in Detroit. Sam Martin got hurt over the summer, which allowed Redfern to handle the punting throughout the preseason. And he pounded the heck out of the ball.

So he won a job, finally.

Now look at the photo above this post. This is what happened on his second snap of his first game in four years of going 'round and 'round on the NFL carousel. And just like that, it's all over for him.

"He had a significant injury," coach Jim Caldwell said after the 35-23 win Sunday against Arizona.

That's Caldwellspeak for long term and probably season ending. And that means the Lions will be hunting for their third punter as they head into a Week 2 game on Monday Night Football against the New York Giants.

Redfern suffered the injury after he botched a first-quarter snap in his own end zone. He was able to cross the goal line to avoid a safety, but was trucked as he tried to make his way to the sideline. He was helped to the trainers table, then a cart quickly came to whisk him away to the locker room.

"He's worked extremely hard, and has done a nice job for us," Caldwell said. "Was looking for him to have the kind of year he's shown he was (capable of) throughout the preseason. But if something like that happens, you have to have a contingency plan, which we did."

Detroit turned to placekicker Matt Prater to handle punting duties, something he had never done in his previous 139 career games. He averaged just 34.8 yards per attempt, and the club will look for a more permanent solution before facing the Giants.

"Hopefully we rectify that before we play our next game," Caldwell said.

While the Redfern injury had a significant impact on the game -- not only did Arizona get a field goal out of the exchange, but backup holder Jake Rudock later botched a PAT hold in his place -- it wasn't the only one. Receiver Golden Tate (finger) and defensive tackle Haloti Ngata (leg) both left the game with injuries before returning.

Tate still managed to lead the Lions with 10 catches for 107 yards, even though he was seen favoring his left hand, and was seen with a splint on his left ring finger after the game.

"Oh man, football season is back," Tate said as he rode the elevator out of the Ford Field basement. "I can tell based on how I feel."