ALLEN PARK -- Lions starting right tackle Gosder Cherilus wanted to finish what he had started, but knee surgery ended his season with three games remaining.

“As Gos has played through some injuries over the course of his career, his knee got to the point that he couldn't keep going. He needed surgery. It was time for him to go get it rather than to make a matter worse,’’ coach Jim Schwartz said on Thursday. “But we're looking for a good recovery for him. Obviously he goes on the injured reserve, not able to finish this season. That was something that meant a lot to him, but it was just something he couldn't physically do. He'll be back. But no ligament issues or anything like that. But he'll be back for us. He just had a scope."

Schwartz would not be more specific about the injury. But he was ready to praise Cherilus who was in his third season with Detroit. Cherilus won the starting job over veteran Jon Jansen during training camp.

“He was very, very consistent in training camp. He went out and won the job of right tackle, which we had opened up to competition, and put a lot of inconsistencies that we saw from him his rookie and second year in the past,’’ Schwartz said. “Particularly after the beginning of the season, he really played good, consistent football for us; both from a physical standpoint and also a mental standpoint.’’

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