Jason Hanson Looks Strong In Pregame Warm-Ups

Jason Hanson tested out his surgically repaired knee on Saturday, before the Lions preseason game against the Cleveland Browns, by participating in warm-ups. According to Killer Kowalski, he looked strong:

He started by kicking 35-yarders from the standalone holder and then, working with longsnapper Don Muhlbach and holder Nick Harris, he extended his range.

Most of his field goals were right down the middle and had plenty of range. Several kicks from 48 yards split the uprights and had plenty of distance. 

He attempted two 53-yarders, hitting one down the middle and the other hugged the left upright (from the view in the press box it was impossible to tell if it was good or not). Hanson's only attempt from 55 yards came up just short.

Although he was kicking on turf, that doesn't sound like a bad showing for the 19-year veteran fresh off of knee surgery. Assuming everything goes well in his continued rehab, his leg should get stronger heading into the season. 

I will say, though, that I've been quite impressed, for the most part, with Steve Hauschka's kickoffs. Maybe it wouldn't be a terrible idea for the Lions to spell the two's duties, at least until Hanson is completely healthy.

Jason Hanson To Take Part In Warm-Ups Today

Jason Hanson will not return from his knee injury officially just yet, as he isn't scheduled to play today, but he is getting closer.

Detroit Lions kicker Jason Hanson will do some kicking during pregame warm-ups Saturday but won't enter the game at any point.

The current plan appears to be for Hanson to play next Thursday when the Bills come to town for the final game of the preseason. Waiting until then will give him extra time to recover. Also, it's likely that the other kicker on the team, Steven Hauschka, will be released when the first round of roster cuts are made on Tuesday. It's possible the Lions could keep him around in case Hanson has a setback, but I'd bet on the Lions moving full-speed ahead with Hanson and Hanson only.

Jason Hanson To Have Arthroscopic Surgery On Non-Kicking Knee

Lions kicker Jason Hanson, who is entering his 19th season in the NFL, is planning to have surgery on his left (non-kicking) knee this afternoon. Hanson apparently hurt the knee yesterday while planting for a kick, requiring him to have arthroscopic surgery today in order to recover.

For Hanson, this is the second straight summer he will have "minor" knee surgery. Last year, he hurt his right (kicking) knee and was out until the beginning of the regular season. That surgery came a couple weeks later than now, so he had less time to recover. With the added recovery time and the fact that this is supposed to be nothing more than minor, Jim Schwartz doesn't think Hanson will be out beyond the preseason.

"We’ve never put timetables on guys, but don’t anticipate it being a thing that would jeopardize the start of this season or anything else," Schwartz said. "Really won’t know a whole lot till they get in there, but we don’t anticipate it being anything but minor."

"We’re anticipating a very similar situation as last year," Schwartz said. "The difference is last year it occurred deeper into training camp; this is real early."

While Hanson is out, he will be replaced by Aaron Pettrey, who was signed earlier in the summer to take some of the load off of Hanson. Now he will be the Lions' kicker until Hanson returns.