ALLEN PARK, Mich. — Running back Reggie Bush said he expects to return to the field for the Detroit Lions against the New England Patriots next Sunday after missing the team’s Week 11 loss to the Arizona Cardinals with a right ankle injury. The ankle has kept Bush out of three games this season and limited him in three others.

“It’s very frustrating because it’s just one of those injuries that’s been kind of lingering,” Bush said Monday. “So I’ve been trying to do my best to get as healthy as I can and be as smart as I can about it. Obviously, I don’t plan on getting injured when I go back in the game and that was just one of those things that happened last time I was out there.

“Hopefully not playing this past game will pay dividends for this week.”

Bush didn’t practice last week but worked extensively with trainers off to the side. He was listed as questionable for the Arizona game, but ruled out Saturday.

Against the Dolphins in Week 10, he ran well on the first drive with three carries for 19 yards and had a 5-yard catch, but aggravated the ankle near the end of the first series.

“I don’t care who you were,” he said. “The way my ankle got bent, if I didn’t have an ankle injury I would’ve had one after that play. It’s just one of those deals. It’s just unfortunate.”

The Lions could certainly use Bush’s versatility back in the lineup after the offense sputtered all day in a 14-6 loss to the Cardinals, squandering an opportunity to jump ahead in the NFC playoff race.

The Cardinals, who led 14-0 after two Michael Floyd touchdown catches in the first nine minutes, outgained the Lions 352 yards to 262, and were much more as the Lions had nine penalties for 80 yards compared to Arizona’s four for 35. The Cardinals also converted 8 of 14 third downs, including their first five, while the Lions went just 5 of 15.

The Lions reached the red zone just once, and the drive started there after a second-quarter interception by Cassius Vaughn. It was the first time since Dec. 27, 2009 the Lions didn’t score a touchdown, and the offense continues to struggle week after week. Offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi made some poor play calls, but quarterback Matthew Stafford and other players failed to execute all game.

A few questionable calls went against the Lions, but players didn’t make excuses for the loss. In the fourth quarter, Jeremy Ross had a punt return to the Arizona 46, but after a Cardinals challenge, the ball was ruled down at the Detroit 1 because the officials ruled Justin Bethel had possession even though he pitched the ball back to his teammates, which led Ross to grab it and move it down the field.

Ross grabbed the ball before any Arizona players could, but the play that would have given the Lions great field position with 11:57 left was for naught.

Stafford, who led fourth-quarter comebacks the last three games, struggled with heavy pressure and finished 18 of 30 for 183 yard with one interception. He also took four sacks.

“We played a pretty good football team and a pretty good defense,” Stafford said. “They’ve got talented guys. They’ve been a good defense all year, but we didn’t help ourselves out.

“We had too many penalties and too many mental errors. If you do that against a good defense, you’re not going to win.”

Joique Bell had 14 carries for 85 yards, but the passing game repeatedly set back the offense. Cardinals cornerbacks Patrick Peterson, Antonio Cromartie and Jerraud Powers had exceptional games, holding Calvin Johnson to five catches for 59 yards and Golden Tate to two catches for 41 yards. Tate didn’t have a target in the second half.

“They weren’t forcing me to look away,” Stafford said when asked about Tate. “I’m just going through my progressions and trying to find open guys.”

MEDICAL WATCH

–TE Brandon Pettigrew was a late scratch due to a foot injury despite being a full participant in practice two of three days last week.

–RG Travis Swanson made his first career start with Larry Warford out with a knee injury.

–RT LaAdrian Waddle missed the fourth quarter with an ankle injury, but coach Jim Caldwell said it’s not a long-term injury.

REPORT CARD VS. DOLPHINS

PASSING OFFENSE: D — Lions receivers Calvin Johnson and Golden Tate struggled to find openings against the Cardinals’ cornerback trio of Patrick Peterson, Antonio Cromartie and Jerraud Powers, and the offensive line allowed pressure all day, giving up four sacks. With everyone else struggling, Matthew Stafford couldn’t find a rhythm and missed several throws, finishing 18 of 30 for 183 yards and one interception.

RUSHING OFFENSE: B — Perhaps the lone bright spot for the Lions, Joique Bell ran for 85 yards on 14 carries, including a 33-yard run that set up a 50-yard field goal. Bell, though, did most of the work on his own as the run blocking struggled once again. Theo Riddick and fullback Jed Collins were stopped short on a pair of 3rd-and-1s.

PASS DEFENSE: D — The Lions didn’t have a sack in a game for the first time this season, and even though they hit Drew Stanton five times, he had plenty of time to throw on a handful of deep shots, finishing with 306 yards. Cornerbacks Cassius Vaughn and Darius Slay gave up touchdowns on the first two drives. The saving grace were two interceptions, but Stanton threw them right to Vaughn and linebacker Josh Bynes.

RUSH DEFENSE: B+ — The Cardinals averaged just 1.8 yards per carry, but the run defense struggled in the first half, giving up 45 yards on 12 carries to Andre Ellington. The group improved drastically in the second half as Ellington lost three yards on his seven second-half carries.

SPECIAL TEAMS: B — Matt Prater needed a bounce off the left upright to make a 50-yarder and hit a 28-yarder to provide the only scoring for the Lions. Sam Martin eliminated the Arizona return game on kickoffs and punts. Jeremy Ross nearly had a 53-yard punt return in the fourth quarter, which could have been the biggest play of the game for the Lions. Otherwise, he averaged 8 yards on two punt returns and had a 26-yard kickoff return.

COACHING: D — The Lions didn’t look ready for the big stage as the Cardinals quickly grabbed a 14-0 lead, which partly falls on the coaches. Jim Caldwell managed the game too conservatively, and offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi had several predictable play calls.