Lions WR Nate Burleson facing an uncertain future after season-ending injury

Forced to watch the remainder of the 2012 NFL season from the sidelines due to a broken leg, Detroit Lions wide receiver Nate Burleson is fully aware that his days as a guaranteed player on a team's roster could very well be dwindling.

Burleson told Anwar S. Richardson of MLive.com on Wednesday that he talks to fellow receivers Titus Young and Ryan Broyles all the time about how their improved level of play recently could actually leave him without a job for next season.

"I talk bluntly to them," Burleson said. "I say with them balling out completely, it could leave me the odd man out. That's just the reality of the game."

The 31-year-old Burleson had five screws and a metal plate inserted into his leg on Oct. 26, and may never quite be able to retain the same level of explosiveness he had before the injury. He remains eager to coach Young, Broyles and any of Detroit's other young receivers while he recovers in the meantime, and vows to be fully prepared to audition his talents for the organization again next spring.

"The only reason I'm comfortable with it is because I've been in that position, and I've been able to benefit from a guy going down, so I understand," he said. "I'm fine with having to go out there and show people I'm one of the best compliments to Calvin Johnson there is."