detroit lions vs. st. louis rams the season begins consistency up front ...

Justin Durant
Linebacker
Hampton 6th Year
Ht: 6-1 Wt: 240
Born: 9/21/85 Florence, S.C.
Draft: ‘07, R2 (48)-Jax Acquired: ‘11, UFA-Jax
Complete biographical information available on Detroit<strong>lions</strong>.com.
MANE FACTS
¾ Twitter: @JDurant52.
¾ favorite player growing up was Jerry rice.
¾ favorite movie is Pulp Fiction.
¾ in the offseason, he enjoys sitting in the basement and watching movies.
¾ favorite vacation spot is Miami.
¾ Wants to visit Tokyo, Japan.
¾ after playing, wants to be a disk jockey – named DJ JD.
TRANSACTIONS
¾ signed as an unrestricted free agent by the Detroit <strong>lions</strong> July 29, 2011.
¾ originally drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the second round (48th
overall) of the 2007 Nfl Draft.
PRO
sixth-year veteran who joined the <strong>lions</strong> in 2011 after spending his first four
seasons in Jacksonville. Has played in 63 career games with 54 starts at
both outside and middle linebacker.
¾ Career totals include 441 tackles (321 solo), 3 sacks, 2 interceptions,
12 pass defenses, 2 forced fumbles, 1 fumble recovery and 5 special
teams tackles.
¾ in four seasons with Jacksonville, compiled 417 tackles (292 solo), 2.0
sacks, 2 forced fumbles, 1 fumble recovery, 2 interceptions, 11 pass
defenses and 22 tackles-for-loss.
¾ recorded a season-high 135 tackles in 2009.
¾ Moved to middle linebacker during the 2009 season and made a
career-high 13 starts.
¾ led the team with 7 tackles-for-loss and ranked third with 113
tackles in 2008.
2011: Team’s starting outside linebacker. Collected 68 tackles (53 solo) on
the season and 1 sack, 1 pass defense and 1 forced fumble.
¾ Was part of a defensive unit that allowed just 56 yards on the ground
against the Buccaneers (9/11). it was the lowest rushing total allowed
by the <strong>lions</strong> on the road in a season opener since allowing 31 yards at
seattle september 12, 1999. it was also their lowest rushing total allowed
overall on opening day since limiting the Green Bay Packers to 46
yards september 11, 2005. No Bucs running back rushed for more than
15 yards and just 1 of their 17 first downs came on the ground. Tampa’s
leading rusher was QB Josh freeman, who finished with 26 yards.
¾ The defense allowed just 6 points and limited the Bucs to just 8:15
of possession time in the first half. Through the first three quarters,
the <strong>lions</strong> defense forced three-and-outs on five of the Bucs’ first
eight possessions, including three-straight to open the third quarter.
¾ on the <strong>lions</strong> first defensive possession that started at the <strong>lions</strong> 21-yard
line following a 78-yard kickoff return, the <strong>lions</strong> defense held firm and
did not allow a first down, forcing a Buccaneer field goal.
¾ led the team in tackles with 11 tackles (8 solo) in the 48-3 win (largest
victory margin in team history for regular season game) in the <strong>lions</strong>’
home opener <strong>vs</strong>. Kansas City (9/18). Was part of a team effort that
registered 6 turnovers in the game against Kansas City, including 3
interceptions and 3 fumble recoveries. it marked the first time since
the <strong>lions</strong> claimed a 24-17 win at Houston (oilers, 12/10/95) that the
team had 3 interceptions and 3 fumble recoveries.
¾ recorded 6 tackles in <strong>lions</strong> 26-23 overtime win at Minnesota (9/25).
¾ after a slow first half, allowing the Vikings to gain 124 yards on 16
carries (7.8 avg) in the first half, the <strong>lions</strong> defense helped the team’s
come-from-behind win by stuffing the run in the second half yielding
just 8 rushing yards on 7 carries (1.1 avg). Vikings’ all-Pro rB adrian
Peterson recorded 73 yards on 12 rushes in the first half, but wash held
to just 5 yards on 5 carries by the <strong>lions</strong> in the second half.
¾ With 11:40 left to play in the fourth quarter and trailing 20-17, the
<strong>lions</strong> stuffed the Vikings on fourth-and-1 at the <strong>lions</strong> 17-yard line.
The <strong>lions</strong> followed up with a scoring drive that culminated in a 40-yard
game-tying field goal.
¾ inactive with concussion at Dallas (10/2), <strong>vs</strong>. Chicago (10/10) and <strong>vs</strong>.
san francisco (10/16).
¾ Got back into the starting line-up <strong>vs</strong>. atlanta (10/23). recorded 4 tackles
and a pass defensed.
¾ Helped limit the Broncos offense to 10 points and 117 net passing
yards in a 45-10 victory at Denver (10/30). He recorded 2 solo tackles
in the win.
¾ Had a team-high 7 tackles (all solo) at Chicago (11/30). one of those
tackles was for a 3-yard loss.
¾ recorded 3 tackles and his first sack of the season <strong>vs</strong>. Green Bay (11/24).
¾ He had 7 tackles and a forced fumble at oakland (12/18). He stripped
oakland Wr Darrius Heyward-Bey in the fourth quarter to prevent the
PLayer ProfiLes
Detroit<strong>lions</strong>.com
Media.Detroit<strong>lions</strong>.com
raiders from adding points to their lead.
¾ Had a team-high 11 tackles and a sack <strong>vs</strong>. san Diego (12/24). it was
his second sack of the season.
¾ registered a game-high 9 tackles at Green Bay (1/1).
COLLEGE
Became first player in Mid-eastern athletic Conference history to earn MeaC
Defensive player of the year honors three times. started 39 of 43 games
at middle linebacker and ranked second in school history with 353 tackles
(185 solo). Contributed 10.0 sacks, 3 fumble recoveries and 4 interceptions.
¾ selected as sheridan Broadcasting Network Black College all-america
three times, joining the likes of QB steve McNair (alcorn state), lB
Tracy White (Howard), s antoine Bethea (Howard) and Te shannon
sharpe (savannah state) as three-time members of that prestigious
post-season team.
¾ Majored in sports Management.
PERSONAL
Brother of former North Carolina quarterback Darian Durant.
¾ established a program in the 2009 offseason with the linebackers to
make bi-weekly visits to Wolfson Children’s Hospital, where the players
visit with patients, sign autographs and distribute gifts.
¾ full name: Justin ryan Durant.
DURANT’S SINGLE-GAME BESTS
Tackles: ......................................................................................................................................16 at Ten 11/1/09
sacks: .....................................................................................................................1 (four) last <strong>vs</strong>. sD 12/24/11
interceptions: .....................................................................................................1 (twice) last <strong>vs</strong>. Hou 12/6/09
interception return yards: ...................................................................................................27 <strong>vs</strong>. Hou 12/6/09
long interception:...................................................................................................................27 <strong>vs</strong>. Hou 12/6/09
Pass Defenses: ...............................................................................................2 (twice) last <strong>vs</strong>. NyG 11/28/10
fumbles forced: ...............................................................................................1 (twice) last at oak 12/18/11
fumble recoveries: ...............................................................................................................1 <strong>vs</strong>. Hou 11/14/10
special Teams Tackles: ...........................................................................................2 (twice) <strong>vs</strong>. Ten 11/16/08
DURANT’S CAREER STATISTICS
Year Tm G S TT ST AT Sk Yds Int Yds TD PD FF FR Yds TD STT
2007 Jax 13 8 70 50 20 1.0 0 1 2 0 2 0 0 0 0 3
2008 Jax 14 12 113 81 32 0.0 0 0 0 0 5 0 0 0 0 2
2009 Jax 13 13 135 90 45 1.0 0 1 27 0 2 1 0 0 0 0
2010 Jax 10 9 55 47 8 0.0 0 0 0 0 2 0 1 0 0 0
2011 Det 13 12 68 53 15 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0
Totals 63 54 441 321 120 3 0 2 29 0 12 2 1 0 0 5
POSTSEASON
Year Tm G S TT ST AT Sk SkY Int Yds TD PD FF FR Yds TD STT
2011 Det 1 1 9 6 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0
Total 1 1 9 6 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0
2011 (Det)
Date Opp G S TT ST AT Sk SkY Int Yds TD PD FF FR Yds TD STT
9/11 at TB 1 1 4 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
9/18 KC 1 1 11 8 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
9/25 at Min 1 1 6 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
10/2 at Dal 0 0 iNaCTiVe/iNJUreD
10/9 CHi 0 0 iNaCTiVe/iNJUreD
10/16 sf 0 0 iNaCTiVe/iNJUreD
10/23 aTl 1 1 4 2 2 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0
10/30 at Den 1 1 2 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
11/13 at Chi 1 1 7 7 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
11/20 Car 1 1 2 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
11/24 GB 1 0 3 1 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
12/4 at No 1 1 2 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
12/11 MiN 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
12/18 at oak 1 1 7 5 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0
12/24 sD 1 1 11 8 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
1/1 at GB 1 1 9 6 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Totals 13 12 68 53 15 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0
Postseason
Date Opp G S TT ST AT Sk SkY Int Yds TD PD FF FR Yds TD STT
1/7 at No 1 1 9 6 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0
Total 1 1 9 6 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0