Detroit Lions coach Jim Caldwell did rule out the possibility of sitting wide receiver Calvin Johnson, who has been slowed with an ankle sprain, for the next two weeks.

Caldwell said it is possible Johnson could be miss games against the New Orleans Sainits and Atlanta Falcons, and not return until the team’s bye week in Week 9.

“I do not hold a medical degree. It may appear I do from time to time to you maybe, but I don’t,” Caldwell said Monday. “The fact of the matter is I leave it up to the doctors. Those are the professionals. They know exactly what it takes.

“Them in conjunction with Calvin and how he feels, they treat not only symptoms of the situation but also the patient as well in terms of how he feels. So they’ll let us know what’s the best path to take.”

Johnson missed his first game of the season in Sunday’s 17-3 win over the Minnesota Vikings. He suffered a high right ankle sprain in the second half against the Green Bay Packers in Week 3 and was limited the following week against the New York Jets. Johnson aggravated the sprain on his one catch against the Buffalo Bills in Week 5.

Without Johnson on Sunday, quarterback Matthew Stafford completed 19 of 33 passes for a season-low 185 yards.