He’s had a bit of an injury that sort of occurred about a week ago or so, and is just increasingly getting a little bit worse. So he’s getting looked at closely. He’s got some issues. – Lions coach Jim Caldwell, on Kyle Van Noy
Former BYU linebacker Kyle Van Noy's first NFL season was hindered by a sports hernia injury that cost him eight regular-season games and valuable in-game experience.
Unfortunately for the former Cougar, a second-round pick by the Detroit Lions in 2014, another injury is threatening to derail his development in his sophomore season.
Detroit head coach Jim Caldwell told the media Sunday that Van Noy is dealing with an unspecified injury and requires further testing.
“He’s getting checked out. He’s had a bit of an injury that sort of occurred about a week ago or so, and is just increasingly getting a little bit worse," Caldwell said. "So he’s getting looked at closely. He’s got some issues.”
During the Lions' 21-17 loss to Washington in preseason action on Thursday, Van Noy played 33 snaps on defense and six on special teams, finishing the game with five tackles and another on special teams.
Last year, Van Noy missed the first eight weeks of the regular season when he was placed on short-term injured reserve after suffering a sports hernia in the preseason. When he returned to the field, Van Noy mainly played on special teams.
According to Kyle Meinke of MLive.com, Van Noy has not participated in practice since the game Thursday. Caldwell said this injury is not another hernia.
“No. When you say related, our entire body is interconnected obviously, but it’s a different injury,” the coach said.
Van Noy's BYU and Lions teammate, defensive end Ezekiel Ansah, is also dealing with an ankle injury. Ansah is headed into his third NFL season and expectations are rising for the former Cougar, who had three tackles and a half-sack against the Redskins in just eight snaps.
“Anytime anybody has got any sort of injury, you know, you’re concerned about it, but our doctors, he’s in good hands and they’ll get him ready as quickly as he responds,” Caldwell said of Ansah.
Defensive tackle Haloti Ngata, a Highland High alum who was traded to Detroit in the offseason, has not practiced since the start of training camp because of a hamstring injury. Caldwell told the media he's unsure if the Pro Bowler will be ready for the team's regular-season opener on Sept. 13 at San Diego.
“You know, you don’t know. I can’t predict that," Caldwell said. "You know, it’s just one of those things that we have to kind of see where they are, you know. We’re hopeful. We look at how he’s been performing and going through just in terms of his rehab, you know, we’re optimistic.”
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