Detroit Lions running back Dwayne Washington has a sprained foot and ankle but there is optimism he'll be able to play through the injury, Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press reports.

The seventh-round rookie exited the Lions' Week 4 game against the Chicago Bears in the second quarter and did not return. He appeared to have a bad limp as he left the field.

Theo Riddick handled most of the work for the Lions with Washington sidelined, taking 11 carries for 31 yards.

If the Lions are to get any consistent production from their interior running game, they probably need Washington to get healthy in a hurry.