ALLEN PARK —  It appears starting right guard Stephen Peterman is out for the season after he injured his right ankle in the loss at Minneapolis.

“It looks like he’s going to have surgery, we’ll probably know more at the end of the day. He’s seeing a specialist,’’ coach Jim Schwartz said early Friday afternoon. “It doesn’t look good as far as him continuing. We’ll know more later today.’’

Losing Peterman for the final seven games is a blow for the Lions.

“Other than Chicago — Stephen himself will tell you he didn’t play very well against Chicago — but Stephen was very, very consistent. He played with great effort and you could rely on him every single week. Every week he’d look exactly the same, he wasn’t an up-and-down player, he didn’t bring that. He brought a steady, veteran player and that’s why we re-signed him last year. That’s going to be something we’ll have to overcome. We’re going to need these other guys to step up and to be more consistent because that’s what Stephen gave us, he gave us a rock over there at right guard.’’

Expect Daniel Loper, who has started two games at left guard this season, to step in for Peterman.
 — PAULA PASCHE