Lions safety Louis Delmas underwent knee surgery, no timetable yet for his return

ALLEN PARK, Mich. (WXYZ) - Lions safety Louis Delmas underwent  a minor left knee surgery on Tuesday. The procedure was performed by renowned sports surgeon Dr. James Andrews. 

There is no timetable yet for his return. 

"The reason he ended up getting it done was an effort to be able to get back onto the field," Jim Schwartz, the Lions head coach, said. "At first it was sore and it was like, 'okay, take a day off.' And then the next day it was still sore, and then he tried to go again [at practice] and he tried to go back in and we just weren't getting anywhere with it. So that was the only thing that changed."

Last year, Delmas missed time toward the end of the regular season due to a right knee injury. 

Delmas' injury an absence from the lineup means Erik Coleman, Don Carey, Ricardo Silva and John Wendling will get extended playing time at safety. 

"Anytime you lose a leader like that it's going to be tough," said Coleman. "But it's going to be an opportunity for more guys to step up, show leadership; you know, play some football. We know he's going to be working hard to get back out here as soon as he can."

Amari Spievey is the other starting safety.