Calvin Johnson could be facing final home game as a Detroit Lion

DETROIT -- For most of the past nine years, wide receiver Calvin Johnson has been the face of the Detroit Lions' franchise.

"Usually faces of franchises are quarterbacks, and even before Matt (Stafford) got here, Calvin was a guy that everybody obviously thought of when they thought of the Detroit Lions," wide receiver Lance Moore said. "I would say they kind of share that now, but it's definitely pretty cool for a wide receiver to kind of get that praise and that credit."

But, with a $24 million cap hit in 2016 and declining production, Johnson's future is unclear as the Lions search for their next general manager. If Johnson isn't playing for the Lions next year, whether due to a trade or release, Sunday's game against the 49ers would be his last home game at Ford Field, but he's not thinking about that possibility.

"Whether it is or whether it's not, just going to go out here and try to leave a great impression on our home field," he said.

Johnson, 30, reached the 1,000-yard mark in Monday's win over the Saints, the sixth consecutive year he hit the milestone. But Johnson has had just one catch in each of the past two games, and it has become increasingly unclear if he's worthy of being the highest-paid receiver in the NFL.

Johnson admitted he doesn't know what the future holds, but he knows the new general manager will want to "put his own touch on the team."

"Whatever that may be, it's just something you've got to roll with it," he said.

Getting rid of Johnson could have ramifications beyond what happens on the field as he's the franchise's most popular player since Hall of Fame running back Barry Sanders.

"I don't think he's going anywhere," wide receiver Golden Tate said. "This guy's one of the faces of our franchise. He's a franchise player; he sells tickets. He's arguably the best player in the league."

Stafford said the love fans have for Johnson is apparent each time he goes to Ford Field and sees several No. 81 jerseys.

"There's just a million of them, and rightfully so," Stafford said.

But, like Johnson, Stafford doesn't know what will happen after the new general manager arrives.

"I've enjoyed playing with him," Stafford said. "I'm going to continuing to enjoy playing with him as long as I can."

--Ziggy Ansah hadn't even played football six years ago. Now, the Lions defensive end has been recognized as one of the top players in the NFL, making the Pro Bowl for the first time.

"I'm still overwhelmed," Ansah said Wednesday. "I'm still trying to soak it in, but I've got to try to stay focused ... on the game we have Sunday."

In his third NFL season, Ansah is tied for second in the NFL with 13.5 sacks and tied for first with four forced fumbles.

"There is not any phase that he hasn't improved upon," Lions coach Jim Caldwell said. "His get-off is better, his speed-to-power move is better, his ability to operate outside and inside is better. And he works that way, the way he practices and the way he prepares. He's got the kind of work habits that it takes to be an outstanding player in this league."

--Ansah suspects food poisoning might have led to the illness that limited him in Monday's game against the New Orleans Saints.

"Something wasn't right in my system," he said.

Ansah missed most of the second quarter and spent some of that time on the bench, hunched over with a towel on his head. He said he didn't start to feel sick until warm-ups.

"I think I was just battling something, some illness and I think I was using a lot of energy to fight back," he said. "I was just fatigued."

--Lions defensive tackle Tyrunn Walker made an appearance at the game Monday against the Saints. He hasn't been around much since suffering a season-ending injury in Week 4, and he explained it's because he's rehabbing in New Orleans.

A native of New Iberia, La. who spent three years with the Saints, Walker suffered a broken fibula and dislocated ankle after starting the first four games.

"It's been a little tough," Walker said of overcoming the injuries, "but it's good to see the guys out here and stuff."

Walker, who's already doing pool exercises, signed a one-year deal with the Lions last March, but he's not thinking about how the injury will impact his future.

"Not at all," he said. "I've got to rehab, man. I've got to get right."

MEDICAL WATCH: Free safety Glover Quin (concussion) missed practice Wednesday, and the injury could put his 98 consecutive games played streak in jeopardy. ... Johnson (ankle), defensive tackles Caraun Reid (ankle) and Haloti Ngata (neck), linebacker Josh Bynes (foot) and offensive linemen Larry Warford (quad) and Michael Ola (knee) were limited Wednesday but are expected to play against San Francisco.

SERIES HISTORY: 64th regular-season meeting. 49ers lead series, 36-26-1. The Lions are 0-2 against the 49ers at Ford Field. The 49ers have won 14 of the past 15 meetings.

GAME PLAN: Against a 49ers team with a woeful defense, the Lions should try to apply pressure early. Getting wide receivers Calvin Johnson and Golden Tate and running back Theo Riddick involved in the pass game should help the Lions gain an early lead, and if they can run the ball after that, it should be a fairly easy win.

On defense, the Lions just have to play solid and avoid trying to do too much. San Francisco running back Shaun Draughn could create mismatches against Lions linebackers in the pass game, but strong play by the defensive line and secondary should limit that issue.

MATCHUPS TO WATCH:

--Lions CB Darius Slay, who has been rarely targeted the second half of the year, vs. 49ers WR Torrey Smith, a speedy deep threat.

--Lions LT Riley Reiff, who has allowed just one sack the past four games, vs. 49ers ROLB Aaron Lynch, who has 6.5 sacks.