Report: Lions' Quandre Diggs has fractured bone in hand

Justin Rogers
The Detroit News

Allen Park — The struggling Detroit Lions defense might be down another key piece when the team hosts the Green Bay Packers on Sunday.

According to an NFL Network report, the hand injury Quandre Diggs suffered against the Dallas Cowboys turned out to be a fractured bone. It remains unknown if he’ll be able to play through the injury or will have to miss significant time.

Lions safety Quandre Diggs reportedly has a broken hand suffered in last Sunday's loss to the Dallas Cowboys.

Lions coach Matt Patricia wouldn't confirm Diggs' injury during a Wednesday conference call, instead pointing reporters to the team's injury report, which will be released Wednesday afternoon. 

In his fourth season, Diggs has shifted into a bigger role, playing nearly every defensive snap the first three games as a safety/nickel corner hybrid. Through four weeks, he’s tallied 16 tackles, four pass defenses and an interception.

"Q is one heck of a player," defensive coordinator Paul Pasqualoni said. "He's got a lot of instinctive ability. He recognizes things. His skill set is very good. His vision is very good, which I think is important at the safety position."

The Lions rewarded Diggs with a three-year, $18.6 million contract extension this offseason.

If he can’t go Sunday, the Lions might need to add some defensive back depth this week. Safety Tavon Wilson, who would be the logical replacement in the lineup, was limited to four snaps against the Cowboys before he was removed from the game with a back injury. 

With Wilson and Diggs injured, rookie safety Tracy Walker played a season-high 27 snaps against the Cowboys. 

"If there's anybody you don't have, it's the next man up," Pasqualoni said. "That individual, whoever it might be, has to get prepared. The team is counting on them and he has to get in there and do the best he can."

jdrogers@detroitnews.com

Twitter: @Justin_Rogers