Rookie tight end Brandon Pettigrew is out for the season. Tests on his left knee on Friday showed significant damage that will require season-ending knee surgery. Pettigrew injured the knee on the Lions’ first drive on Thursday. It was a non-contact situation where it appeared his knee just buckled.

Coach Jim Schwartz said earlier this week that Pettigrew, a first-round pick out of Oklahoma State, was starting to feel comfortable in the offense. He had dropped several balls in earlier games, but in the win over Cleveland on Sunday he had six catches for 72 yards and scored his first touchdown.

“He’s been pressing, most of his drops have been due to trying to do too much. He feels a tremendous responsibility to make plays. I think that (Cleveland game) was  a big step for him mentally,’’ Schwartz said.
— PAULA PASCHE