Nate Burleson injury: Lions WR says he'll be ready in February

Detroit Lions wide receiver Nate Burleson suffered a tibial plateau fracture in a Week 7 loss to the Chicago Bears and he is out for the remainder of the season, but Burleson recently told Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press that he is "100 percent" sure he will be ready in February for off-season workouts:

"Every spot on my body feels great except for this little one right here [pointing to his knee]. But it's good. I have minimal swelling, the fracture site is healed, there's no ligament damage, so now it's just waiting, I guess."

Lions receivers haven't been able to provide much support to Calvin Johnson in the passing passing game this season. Titus Young has caused off-the-field issues and has fallen out of favor due to discipline issues, but he has the second-highest reception total for the season (33) from the receiving corps.

Meanwhile, Burleson caught 27 passes for 240 yards and two touchdowns over six games. Detroit clearly has struggled without the veteran wide receiver on the field. Matthew Stafford and Calvin Johnson have both posted big numbers in the passing game, but defenses have been able to shut down the offense at key points due to the lack of a true No. 2 option.

Burleson will turn 32 before the start of the 2013 NFL season.