Detroit Lions: What Eric Ebron’s injury could mean for his future

In the first day of training camp, Eric Ebron left early with an injury. If this trend continues, his days with the Detroit Lions could be numbered.

Since being drafted by the Detroit Lions in 2014, I have been a big Eric Ebron supporter. I’ve argued with countless friends and enemies over the Odell Beckham Jr. or Aaron Donald takes. Or had back and forths with others that just believe Ebron just isn’t a good football player. He’s probably one of, if not the most, dissed starter on the Lions today.

Well, that crowd probably got much louder after Ebron had to leave the first day of training camp with an apparent hamstring injury. This is Ebron’s second year in a row going down during training camp. And injuries becoming a trend is what really worries me about Ebron’s future, specifically with the Lions.

I understand that this is football and players are going to get injured. Honestly, the fact that players like Glover Quin can get an ironman streak going amazes me. But players like Quin are also the reason why players like Ebron are blamed more often for going down. It’s not fair to do that, but life’s not fair.

Ebron’s rookie contract is quickly coming to a close. Earlier this year, Detroit picked up his fifth-year option, so he’ll be under contract through 2018. After that, it’s really a toss up for what happens to him, especially if the injuries continue.

He’s going to get paid. He has ideal tight end size and great speed for a pass catcher as well. If Detroit doesn’t give him a contract he thinks he deserves, another team quickly will. Somebody will push those injury concerns aside hoping they are a thing of the past.

That’s what really can’t happen for the Lions. And not now when the team is in a great spot to make a potential run. Matthew Stafford should be at the peak of his career, so retaining talent to help him would be a must.

But if Ebron has another injury over the next two seasons, I can see Detroit deciding to move on. They just drafted Michael Roberts in the fourth round this year, and though he doesn’t have the Ebron skillset, he could have starting potential by then. I just don’t think he will be nearly as good as Ebron could be.

Next: Thoughts and observations from first practice of camp

The last thing I want to see is Ebron go elsewhere and become the top tight end he should have been with the Lions. So please Eric, for the sake of the Lions and your future earnings, please stay healthy this year and help this team do better than anybody expects.