Dave Birkett

Detroit Free Press

Detroit Lions right tackle LaAdrian Waddle's injury-riddled season is over.

Waddle suffered a partially torn ACL in his left knee in Sunday's 16-14 win over the Minnesota Vikings and will miss the remainder of the year.

Lions coach Jim Caldwell would not divulge details of Waddle's injury at his news conference today, but he acknowledged, "It doesn't look good."

The Lions plan to place Waddle, who should be ready by the start of 2015 training camp, on season-ending injured reserve.

"That's a big loss," center Dominic Raiola said Sunday. "That's our guy out there. It sucks for him, and we're going to hurt for him. But we're totally confident in (Cornelius Lucas). He's had game experience this year. We look at him as a starter. He goes out there and he transforms into the starter. I'm happy for him, for his opportunity. It sucks for L.A."

Lucas, an undrafted rookie out of Kansas State, will take over as starting right tackle for the 10-4 Lions, who can clinch a playoff spot with a win over the Chicago Bears this weekend.

Lucas has started one game at left tackle this year, in place of Riley Reiff, and has filled in several times for Waddle on the right side.

Waddle got hurt on the Lions' third-quarter field goal drive Sunday, when a Vikings defender rolled into his leg. He couldn't put any weight on the leg as he stood up and was carted off the field.

Waddle also has missed time with two concussions, calf and ankle injuries this year. His backup, Corey Hilliard, was lost to a foot injury in Week 1.

Note: Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson is among eight finalists for the NFL's new Sportsmanship Award. Also among the finalists are Arizona Cardinals receiver Larry Fitzgerald; linebackers Thomas Davis of Carolina and Chad Greenway of Minnesota; safety Troy Polamalu of Pittsburgh; defensive end DeMarcus Ware of Denver; quarterback Alex Smith of Kansas City; and special teams ace Matthew Slater of New England. A panel of former players — Hall of Famer Curtis Martin, Warrick Dunn, Karl Mecklenburg and Leonard Wheeler — selected the finalists from 32 nominees, one from each team. The winner will be determined by a vote of current NFL players and announced during the "NFL Honors" program Jan. 31.



Highlights from Caldwell's news conference today

On what he believed he learned as a head coach in Indianapolis: "I'd say they're countless. I think you learn something every day and I try to make that a point throughout my life. I think if you stop learning and stop observing that pretty soon you become outdated, stale and ineffective. SO yea, I learned something every day there and I'm learning something every day here as well."

On what he specifically has learned: "You name it. I've learned things about strategy, about dealing with people. You learn a little bit more about the people that you're working with, which is invaluable. You learn about opposition for us, obviously being within this division now it's a little bit different. So, we have a lot to learn in that regard, so they're a lot of things."

On what he's learned about this group of guys on the team so far: "Quite a few things. I'll tell you the thing that jumps out at me about this group and what they've shown up to this point. They have grit. They are very rarely deterred when a big challenge comes they're way. They're able to hang in there and play with poise down the stretch and overcome some difficult circumstances. They play together, which is quite admirable."

On how much he incorporates the 'we control our own destiny' dialogue: "I've been saying that from the first day I got here. That's always been our mantra and always will be until it no longer exists so that's obviously still the case. Matter fact I mentioned it a couple weeks ago. … Remember that discussion, right? You do recall that, right? You guys probably notice I don't forget a whole lot. Old guy, but I still remember."

On his evaluation of Matthew Stafford's performance Sunday: "I think he did a nice job. He made some plays when we had to have them and it wasn't pretty. I think his numbers aren't going to jump off the wall at you. That position, there are going to be games where you're not going to be 75-percent or 76-percent and three touchdowns and that kind of thing. It was just one of those games. I think you can look across the spectrum of our league and you'll see a number of examples that jump right out at you. But I think he hung in there and did a nice job for us."

On Reggie Bush's performance Sunday: "I think he got what was there. I just don't think there was any great opportunity for him to get loose, but he got what was there."

Carlos Monarrez contributed.

Contact Dave Birkett: dbirkett@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @davebirkett.