ALLEN PARK -- The Detroit Lions allowed 74.6 rushing yards per game in the first five weeks of the season. Then they lost Haloti Ngata to a bicep injury, and they've allowed 136.8 per game since.

That's a spike of 83.3 percent.

Man, do they miss Ngata -- especially this week, as they prepare for Jordan Howard and a Chicago Bears rushing attack that's back among the top 10.

"You're talking about one of the all-time premiere run stoppers in the league," defensive coordinator Teryl Austin said. "And even in his advanced age -- he won't like me saying 'advanced age' -- but even in his advanced age, he was still a very, very strong run stopper for us. So we're missing him.

"But, I mean, that's part of the NFL. You're not always going to have your good guys, and the guys that are in there have to step up, and we have to play better."

Ngata was once one of the most explosive and destructive forces in the game. At 32 years old, he's no longer that. But he remains an excellent run stopper, and with him on the field, the Lions were excellent against the run. They ranked third in the league.

But then Ngata suffered a bicep injury against Carolina in Week 5 and was placed on injured reserve. And in just four games without him, Detroit has slid all the way to 10th.

"That's Haloti Ngata," defensive end Cornelius Washington said. "He is absolutely noticeable when he's on the field, and when he's not, you know? Either way, you know when he's there, and you know when he's not there. He is a very big loss."

The Lions really felt it last week, when the Browns attacked the heart of their defense without fear. And racked up 201 yards doing it. Now they head into Chicago for a game against one of the league's brightest young backs.

Howard chewed up Detroit last year, too, gutting them for 111 yards in his first NFL start and averaging 5.5 yards a pop in the two games overall.

"He's real good at reading his blocks," said Washington, who was teammates with Howard in Chicago last year. "He hits the hole hard, and he's hard to bring down. He's the kind of guy, like when he first came in, you don't really expect him to do much. Then he gets out there and plays the way he plays, and you're like, 'Oh, it's too late.'

"I was there, and I know how he is, and I'm not going to take him lightly. Shoot, he's one of the top backs in the league. ... He doesn't look overly fast. But then he gets out there, and runs the ball up and down the field on us."

While Ngata is on IR, and not expected to play again this season, he has not left the team. He's been a fixture at practice and at the card table in the locker room. He's even been making road trips.

That's not what you'd expect from any player who is out for the season, and especially one who might not play again. He's trying to do his part to help Detroit weather his loss, operating almost as an extra coach.

"He is a veteran voice," Austin said. "He's a guy that's been through a lot of trench warfare in there with the guys. He's able to give them insights as a player, just like he was when he was here. So I think that's important that he's around, and he still provides leadership to that group.

"He's never lost any passion for the game. He loves playing football. He loves being around his teammates and his team. He loves contributing. And I think that's what makes him special. He's never been, the six years I've been involved with him, he's never been a selfish person, ever. That's the least thing you ever worry about with Haloti. Always looking for what's good for the team, what can we do better as a team, as a group."

Passion is great, but Father Time catches up with everybody eventually. Does Austin think Ngata will play again?

"I hope so," he said, "but you'd have to ask him that."