NFL player injured chasing peeing puppy

Who would have thought something so cute could cause such trouble.

When NFL player Joe Fauria missed Detroit Lions’ most recent game, there was talk he had been crippled by a mysterious ankle injury.

Now it has emerged the tight end sprained his ankle after falling down some stairs, while attempting to stop his adorable puppy Lil’ Rufio from ruining the carpet.

"He kind of did something bad and ran away from me," Fauria sheepishly admitted.

"I hate to blame it on Lil' Rufio but it is kind of his fault, and my fault too, for not being athletic enough to catch myself."

Lil’ Rufio understandably attracted some heat from fans in the aftermath of the incident but Fauria has since pleaded for the public to give the young pup a break.

The Detroit Lions side certainly appears to have a knack for getting injured in the most unusual circumstances.

Linebacker Stephen Tulloch ended his season last week by tearing his ACL while attempting an on-field celebration.

Last season, the Lions lost then-receiver Nate Burleson for seven games when he broke his left forearm trying to save a sliding pizza box from the front seat of his car.