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Lions cornerback Ian Wells suffered what is feared to be a major knee injury during Tuesday's joint practice with the Steelers.

(Mike Mulholland | MLive.com)

LATROBE, Pa. -- The Detroit Lions gained a lot from Tuesday's joint practice with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

But they also might have lost a cornerback for the long haul.

Ian Wells, a rookie out of Ohio, crumpled to the ground at Chuck Noll Field after suffering a right knee injury while trying to cover Pittsburgh's Marcus Tucker in one-on-ones.

He was helped off the field by trainers, and the initial diagnosis wasn't optimistic.

"He's going to get looked at," Lions coach Jim Caldwell said. "Doesn't look good, but he's going to get looked at. They'll examine and see exactly where he is."

Caldwell doesn't typically talk like that unless a player has sustained a long-term injury.

Wells, a long shot to make the roster, is the third Lions player to go down in four days. They also lost tight end Eric Ebron (ankle) and receiver TJ Jones (undisclosed) to injuries in Saturday's mock game at Ford Field. Both of those players traveled here, but it's unclear when they'll be ready to rejoin practice.

Ebron declined to comment to reporters as he left the field after practice.

Detroit also practiced without receiver Andre Caldwell, who is sporting a wrap on his right hand/wrist, and safety Raphael Bush, who did not make the trip while tending to the birth of his child.