Calvin Johnson Injury: How Is Injured Ankle Affecting Fantasy Value?

Even with a gimpy ankle, Calvin Johnson is apparently still Calvin Johnson.

The man known as "Megatron" was listed as 'questionable' for today's matchup with the Kansas City Chiefs after not practicing until Friday this past week. But you can go ahead and tear up that injury report because Johnson quickly got on the board in the first quarter with a 15-yard touchdown reception just over four minutes into the game.

At the time of this posting, Johnson has two catches for 28 yards, but against a Kansas City secondary that is missing stud safety Eric Berry, he could have a big day. He has already been targeted four times.

While Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford has hit Nate Burleson five times for 37 yards and Titus Young three times for 54 yards today, don't expect Johnson's production to slack too much. Stafford will likely try to spread things around early in a lot of games this year just to get some of the attention away from Johnson.

Johnson was held out of practice for most of this week, but that was likely just a move to keep the swelling in his ankle down and give him some time to recover. Based on what he's done thus far today, it doesn't appear to be the kind of injury that will slow his production this year.

Stafford and Johnson are on the cusp of becoming an elite pass-catch combo. Their timing looks much better this season and, as long as Stafford stays healthy, Johnson will remain one of the elite fantasy wide receivers.