Lions put Mathis on IR, ending his season

Rashean Mathis (concussion) has been ruled out for Sunday’s game in Green Bay, Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press reports. Lions head athletic trainer Kevin Bastin had the following to say earlier in the week.

“He came in the next day for our typical day here on Monday, still no symptoms, completely clear”. He passed the test with an independent neurologist, but Mathis began to suffer from headaches the following Thursday when the team was in London.

Saturday the team made a decision to shut him down permanently for the rest of the season. Mathis has one year remaining on a two-year, $3.5 million deal he signed this past offseason.

He said he spent last week’s bye getting treatment on his ankle and that this year’s injury is nothing like the high ankle sprain that kept him out of three games last year.

The Lions signed cornerback Crezdon Butler, who was with the team in training camp, to take Mathis’ place.

On Sunday, Detroit plays the Packers at Lambeau Field.

When the team returned to Detroit, Mathis entered into concussion protocol.

Second-year corner Nevin Lawson is expected to start for Mathis against Aaron Rodgers and the Packers.