Zach Zenner Injury: Update on Lions RB's Ribs and Recovery

Detroit Lions running back Zach Zenner will be out for the rest of the season after suffering multiple cracked ribs and a partially collapsed lung in Week 6.

Continue for updates.

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Zenner Discusses Recovery

Friday, Oct. 23

Zenner said he's feeling good and is in minimal pain, despite having five fractures in four different ribs, per Tim Twentyman of Lions.com. He added he's hoping to start running next week, according to Twentyman. 

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Zenner To Be Placed on Injured Reserve

Monday, Oct. 19

Lions head coach Jim Caldwell spoke to the media and provided the update on Zenner's status, per Twentyman:

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He is in the hospital, but things are improving for him. At some point in time he'll be placed on IR (injured reserve). [...] He's an integral part of what we do from an offensive standpoint...Tough, rugged guy, but also very involved in our special teams. Just a quality person as well.

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Zenner is an undrafted rookie out of South Dakota State who's managed to get touches in a crowded backfield featuring second-round pick Ameer Abdullah, veteran incumbent Joique Bell and pass-catching specialist Theo Riddick.

A big reason Zenner has been pressed into duty is due to Bell being out the past three games thanks to an ankle injury. Abdullah has fumbled three times in six games and is averaging just 3.3 yards per carry, while Riddick has only nine carries but 33 receptions, which ranks him second on the team.

Even without taking Abdullah's ball-security issues into account, NFL.com's Matt Harmon believed Zenner was well deserving of significant playing time:

Although he had only 60 yards rushing on 17 attempts and two receptions for 11 yards, Zenner showed promise and exceeded expectations given his humble NFL beginnings. With Bell entering a contract year in 2016, there's an opportunity for Zenner to make the Lions roster as long as he makes a full recovery.

The Lions notched their first win of the year Sunday against Chicago in overtime and must continue putting points on the board to have any hope of factoring into the playoff chase. They have NFC North rival Minnesota on deck in Week 7 at home.