Detroit Lions Head Coach Jim Caldwell said tight end Brandon Pettigrew tore his ACL in Sunday's 21-14 loss to the St. Louis Rams. He will miss the rest of the season.
Pettigrew left the game early in the second quarter and it was announced at halftime he would not return to the game.
The injury is to his left knee, the same one that was injured in 2009, his rookie season.
Quarterback Matthew Stafford said Pettigrew was a big part of the game plan and losing him was tough.
"Losing him, we were just thin in some spots and had to change the game plan quite a bit," Stafford said after the game.
Pettigrew plays an important role when it comes to helping the offensive line block. With his absence, it is expected the Lions will use offensive tackle Cornelius Lucas as an extra blocker.
The 4-9 Lions will face the 5-8 New Orleans Saints for Monday Night Football on Dec. 21. You can watch the game on Channel 7.
