"The way Detroit Lions coach Jim Schwartz keeps talking about Keith Bulluck's knee surgery, you'd certainly get the impression the Lions aren't interested in signing him as a free agent.

But I'm a little suspicious.

The reason: Every time I've asked Schwartz about Bulluck, a former Tennessee Titans' outside linebacker, the coach has talked about the knee injury and nothing else.

In the half-dozen times I've asked Schwartz about it, he never has said, "No, we're not interested'' or "That's unlikely'' or "He doesn't really fit our plans.''

All he ever has talked about is the knee injury and never in any concrete terms. He just says, "He's got a knee'' or "He's got an ACL.''

The Lions have three other guys coming off knee injuries -- running back Kevin Smith, tight end Brandon Pettigrew and safety Ko Simpson -- and the team expects all those guys to be back at some point early in the regular season.

Why couldn't Bulluck be available at some point?

The Titans have told Bulluck they'd like to sign him back, but it hasn't happened yet. They, too, probably are waiting to see the progress of his rehabilitation."