Each week, we'll take a look at how the Detroit Lions' rookies fared the week before. This series will typically run the mornings after games.

The Lions are losing their rookies somewhat quickly this season -- at least for the short term. This isn't a knock on Martin Mayhew's drafting ability, because he couldn't have predicted some of what's happened, but this rookie class is not going to have the immediate impact of last season's group.

That said, there were some standout performances and some encouraging -- and discouraging -- signs.

Here's how the rookies fared Sunday:

TE Eric Ebron (first round, North Carolina): Ebron played 26 snaps against Carolina (up six snaps and six percent from the opener) and was on par with Joseph Fauria when it came to snaps. He was also targeted much more by Matthew Stafford as the quarterback looked at him five times. Ebron caught three of those for 38 yards, although he also had one drop.

LB Kyle Van Noy (second round, BYU): He's on injured reserve/designated to return. He won't be doing anything for at least the first half of the season.

OL Travis Swanson (third round, Arkansas): Swanson again didn't play on offense, only special teams. He played on nine special teams snaps, including kick return.

DE Larry Webster (fourth round, Bloomsburg): Webster was inactive against Carolina.

CB Nevin Lawson (fourth round, Utah State): The rookie was elevated to the team's starting slot cornerback last week after Bill Bentley was knocked out for the season with an ACL injury. Now, he might be out for the season as well. Lawson dislocated his left foot on Sunday and was in surgery before the game concluded. He played 12 defensive snaps and eight special teams snaps prior to the injury, which came on a punt return. His season could be over.

DT Caraun Reid (fifth round, Princeton): After seeing three snaps in the opener, Reid had six defensive snaps -- he didn't do much in them and they came late -- and one special teams snap. It is somewhat interesting Reid doesn't play more on special teams, especially in punt field goal block because of his success there at Princeton.

WR TJ Jones (sixth round, Notre Dame): Is on the physically unable to perform list for now. Won't play until midseason more than likely. Even then will be down the depth chart at receiver.

K Nate Freese (seventh round, Boston College): Not a good outing for Freese. He missed both of his 49-yard field goal attempts and after the game, Lions coach Jim Caldwell didn't rule out searching for other options at kicker. He's 2 of 5 this season on field goals after a preseason where he had some consistency issues. His spot is a position to watch in the next few days.

OL Cornelius Lucas (undrafted, Kansas State): Lucas remains the team's fourth tackle but was activated Sunday and saw his first action, playing 17 snaps (24 percent). He came in mostly in the second half in relief of Garrett Reynolds, who earned the start. Pro Football Focus had Lucas with 11 snaps (and that seems more accurate) and rated him with a .2 overall rating.

S Jerome Couplin (undrafted, William & Mary): Couplin was active for the second straight game and played two defensive snaps. He was also in on 14 special teams plays. He failed to record a defensive statistic.