DETROIT – As it stands now, Lions star receiver Calvin Johnson will miss Sunday's game against the New Orleans Saints at Ford Field.

In fact, Johnson could surely miss the next two games, and perhaps even more.

The high right ankle sprain he suffered against Buffalo kept him out of last Sunday's win in Minnesota.

"Like I said, there's no point in being on the field if I can't go out there and do what I got to do," Johnson told the media Wednesday. "Do what I got to do and do it to a high level that I'm used to doing it at."

Some think Johnson, even as just a decoy, should still play since the Lions have two big games before they reach the halfway point of the season.

After the Saints game, the Lions play the Atlanta Falcons in London. Right now, the Lions are 4-2.

Some fans fear they will be 4-4 at the break without Johnson playing. Johnson has 22 catches for 348 yards and two touchdowns this season.

Others want Johnson, 29, completely healthy for the second half of the season when the schedule gets even tougher.

Last season, the Lions started 6-3, but finished 1-6 in the final seven games.

In reality, both scenarios make sense. But ultimately, sitting Johnson until he's truly healthy is best for both Johnson and the Lions.

Rooting for the Royals?

For sure, there will be some Tigers' fans who want no part of the Kansas City Royals in the World Series, starting Tuesday night.

After all, it should have been the Tigers, not the Royals, in the Fall Classic.

During the regular season, the Tigers owned the Royals. But in the playoffs, the Tigers were swept by the Baltimore Orioles in the Division Series.

The Royals swept their way to the World Series, winning eight straight games.

They are just a really good team. They pitch, play defense and get timely hits. Plus, they add speed and small ball.

Plus, there's just something special about this group. It happens every once in a while in sports. The players just match, the mix is on point.

It's hard to ignore the Royals' three straight extra inning wins to open the postseason. That's called October magic. The Royals have it. It's time for sports fans to finally believe in them.

MLB America will be rooting for the Royals. It's hard to imagine Detroiters won't be amongst them.

Manning's Legacy Won't Change

Peyton Manning will set the record for the most NFL touchdowns thrown in a career either this Sunday night or on Thursday night.

Both games are on national TV. Hence, NFL America will be able to join in on the coronation.

Manning, the Denver Broncos' starting quarterback, is just three shy of breaking Brett Favre's mark of 508 touchdowns.

Manning threw three TDs against the New York Jets this past Sunday in a victory. Manning, 38, now has a career 506 touchdowns.

Manning will get the record and have a confetti shower. NFL analysts will fawn all over this and tell you how great he is. Some fans will jump for joy and tell their friends that Manning is the best quarterback ever.

Even Favre has gotten into the pre-record hype, giving Manning a ringing endorsement.

"I'm glad it's Peyton that's doing it," Favre told the Associated Press recently. "I think a lot of Peyton. I know him well. I know his family well. His dad was one of my idols."

Still, it will be hard for some to proclaim Manning as the greatest ever. That comes easily when talking about Muhammad Ali and Michael Jordan.

 In Manning's case, some have given him the title as the greatest regular-season quarterback.

That's the tag Manning can't shake with an 11-12 postseason mark.

The bottom line remains that Manning needs a second Super Bowl championship. I've always said that when it comes to championships, anybody can win one.

But the second one confirms that the first wasn't a fluke, that the stars just didn't align while you happened to be under center.

Joe Montana won four Super Bowls, throwing 11 TDs and no interceptions. That's a legend; a legacy not up for debate.

The same can't be said about Manning, even once he owns the NFL all-time touchdown record.