Lions’ Jim Caldwell gets hot over reporter's injury question

Allen Park – Jim Caldwell doesn’t like being asked about injuries and the Detroit Lions coach dislikes being challenged on this policy even more. That led to a terse exchange Thursday when a reporter sought clarification on center Travis Swanson’s concussion.

“You know we don’t talk about those things in particular, when things happen,” Caldwell said. “I can just tell you this, in regard to that, we followed the rules, the protocol the league sets and mandated. Right now he’s in the protocol and that’s in the hands of the medical team.”

But when pressed on when symptoms appeared, given Swanson played every snap in Sunday’s victory over the Saints, Caldwell turned on the reporter.

“At some point, you are humorous, you know?” Caldwell said, laughing. “A lot of people are laughing at you.”

The reporter fired back.

“That’s fine, I wouldn’t laugh about a brain injury,” he said.

This only angered Caldwell further.

“That’s not what we’re talking about. We’re talking about you. OK? Don’t try to switch it on me. I’m talking about you. The fact of the matter is I did answer the question and that’s all you’re going to get from me in that regard.”

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If Swanson isn’t able to clear the protocol, the Lions would turn to rookie Graham Glasgow at center. Asked if there was an increased challenge of playing the position, compared to guard, Caldwell said expectations for the rookie are consistent.

“We don’t look at the difficulty of it,” Caldwell said. “He’s got a job to do and we’ve got to make certain we put him in the best possible position to do his job and move forward. We don’t look for any built in excuses.”