Dave Birkett

USA TODAY Sports

ALLEN PARK, Mich. — Detroit Lions linebacker Stephen Tulloch tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee while celebrating a sack in Sunday's 19-7 win over the Green Bay Packers and will miss the rest of the season.

Lions coach Jim Caldwell said at his news conference Monday that Tulloch needs surgery and will be placed on season-ending injured reserve.

Tulloch, who never has missed a game in his nine-year career, suffered the injury midway through the first quarter after he sacked Aaron Rodgers for a 7-yard loss. Tulloch jumped to his feet and appeared to be mimicking Rodgers' touchdown dance when he collapsed to the ground.

He returned for two plays on the Lions' next defensive series but finished the game in street clothes with a big bag of ice wrapped around his knee.

"It's unfortunate," Tulloch said after the game. "You're passionate about the game, and you want to get up and celebrate, and it happened. People do it a million times, but (unfortunate) that it happened to me.

"Sitting on the sideline is new to me. It's sickening. But I'll be all right. I'll get back right and be able to help this team move forward, if everything goes well."

With Tulloch out, DeAndre Levy will play a more prominent role at linebacker. Levy called defensive adjustments with Tulloch out Sunday, and he and Tahir Whitehead played most of the game as linebackers in the nickel package.

Ashlee Palmer, a starter last year, likely will take over as the Lions' No. 3 linebacker, at least until rookie Kyle Van Noy returns from hernia surgery after the team's bye week.

"Anytime that you lose anyone, and particularly a guy like that who has the experience he has and has played as well for you, it's a loss there. And it's one that, unfortunately, in our game, happens all too often," Caldwell said. "It's a very physical game and, with it, comes consequences that are very difficult to deal with."

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Birkett writes for the Detroit Free Press