Calvin Johnson injury: Lions WR says he suffered nerve damage against Vikings

Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson said that he sustained nerve damage in the Lions game against the Minnesota Vikings on Sep. 30th, which has made gripping the ball difficult. According to Dave Birkett of the Free Press, the nerve damage was due to hits by Harrison Smith and Chad Greenway. Johnson said he also suffered a concussion on the Greenway hit, but Lions head coach Jim Schwartz said that wasn't the case.

Johnson hasn't practiced in two weeks due to knee soreness. He says the affects of the nerve damage have decreased, but aren't gone completely. Normally as sure handed as any wide receiver in the NFL, Johnson has dropped more passes this season.

Through eight games, Johnson has 48 catches for 767 yards, but only has one touchdown on the year. He did have a good game last weekend against the Jaguars, pulling in seven catches for 129 yards, so perhaps things are starting to trend in the right direction.