ALLEN PARK — Detroit Lions linebacker Stephen Tulloch will be out for the season after he tore his anterior cruciate ligament in Sunday’s win over the Green Bay Packers. Coach Jim Caldwell confirmed the injury at his Monday press conference.

Tulloch sacked Aaron Rodgers in the first quarter, jumped up and celebrated imitating the discount double-check and then falling over.

He got up and was back on the field, but two plays later he was down. He didn’t return in the game.

Caldwell talked to Tulloch after the game.

"As spirited as he is, guys will always be a bit disillusioned for a short bit of time, he’s also a fighter,'' Caldwell said. ""We expect him to rehab like he does everything else full-go, he’ll get back soon.''

Tulloch until Sunday was the Lions’ Ironman. He has not missed a game since he was drafted by the Tennessee Titans in 2006. The knee will require surgery which has not been scheduled.

On Sunday, DeAndre Levy moved to middle linebacker once Tulloch was out. Caldwell wouldn't confirm if Levy will stay at middle with Tulloch gone. 

"We'll look at all of our options,'' Caldwell said on Monday.

Tullloch joins the growing list of Lions who have been lost for the season due to injury including cornerbacks Bill Bentley and Nevin Lawson, along with right tackle Corey Hilliard. Linebacker Kyle Van Noy is on short-term injured reserve which will allow him to start practicing after the sixth game and start playing after the eighth game.

"Any time you lose anyone, particularly a guy like that who has the experience he has and has played as well as he has for you, it’s a loss there,'' Caldwell said. "Unfortunately in our game it happens all too often. That’s the nature of the sport, it’s a very physical game and with it come some consequences that are sometimes difficult to deal with.''

Also, Caldwell confirmed that the Lions have signed kicker Alex Henery and released Nate Freese who was 3 of 7 in field goal attempts in the first three games.