Lions tight end Joseph Fauria missed Sunday’s game against the Jets because he suffered a sprained ankle -- not on the field, but in his home.
Fauria said today that the injury happened while he was on his stairs, running to try to stop his three-month-old dog from urinating in the house. His dog is named Little Rufio.
Athletes have been known to concoct stories about their injuries when they’re injured off the field doing something they shouldn’t be doing. But this story is probably too ridiculous to be a lie. If you were going to make something up, wouldn’t you come up with something more believable?
The Lions have had odd injuries to their receiving corps before. Last year, the Lions lost receiver Nate Burleson for several games after he broke his arm in a car accident he caused by steering into a wall while reaching over into the passenger seat to keep a pizza from sliding onto the floor.
In Fauria’s absence, rookie tight end Eric Ebron got more playing time Sunday against the Jets. He made the most of it, catching a touchdown pass, and Fauria said he did a little dance to celebrate while watching from home.
“I almost sprained my other ankle celebrating Eric’s score,” Fauria said.
But Fauria may have to worry that Ebron’s stellar play could squeeze him out of the lineup. If so, Little Rufio may no longer be Fauria’s best friend.
