By Michael Stets
The Detroit Lions opened up their preseason with a win on Sunday afternoon, defeating the Indianapolis Colts 24-10 at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Matthew Stafford played just one series, going 2-3 for 36 yards, and was intercepted on a tipped pass by linebacker John Simon.
Second-year quarterback Jake Rudock, 13 of 21 for 142 yards, threw a pair of touchdown passes to rookie third-round draft pick Kenny Golladay in the first half.
Golladay looked like a monster in the red zone, adjusting his six-foot-four frame to snare a 23-yard touchdown pass in the first quarter on a throw almost out of reach. And doing so once more in the second, when he hauled in a 15-yard touchdown on a back-shoulder fade.
“He’s one of those guys that every day he shows up,” coach Caldwell told Jim Brandstatter on WJR after the game. “He does something that kind of makes you say,’Oh, OK, this guy, maybe he’ll do something for us.’ He’s long. He can make some catches. I just think you will see him getting better and better. He’s still got a lot to learn but this is just the first step.”
After a 28-yard field goal by Matt Prater, the Lions were up 17-3 at the half.
While the Lions won the game on Sunday, they lost another player to injury–this time likely for the entire season. Defensive end Kerry Hyder went down in the first half with an achilles injury and had to be carted off the field. Hyder, who was surging forward on the play, went down before making contact with another player.
“We love Kerry. He’s just such a warrior, but he tore his achilles is what the preliminary report says,” Caldwell told Brandstatter. “The doctors will look at it more, but it’s significant.”
With Hyder likely lost for the season, starter Ziggy Ansah currently on the PUP list, and backup Armonty Bryant serving a four-game suspension to start the year, depth at the defensive end position is now a major concern. Brandon Copeland left yesterday’s game with a shoulder injury, which would make matters even worse if he is to miss any time. The remaining defensive ends on the roster as of now are: Anthony Zettel, Cornelius Washington, rookie seventh-round draft pick Pat O’Connor and undrafted rookies Alex Barrett and Jeremiah Vaolaga.
Sixth-round draft pick Brad Kaaya relieved Rudock in the second half, throwing a 15-yard touchdown pass to Dontez Ford to close out the scoring for the Lions.
The Colts scored three points in the first half on a field goal by Adam Vinatieri, and found the end zone in the closing seconds of the game on a one-yard touchdown run by Tromaine Pope.
The Lions host the New York Jets for their second preseason game on Saturday, August 19.
