Detroit Lions Trade Rumors

Lions QB Matthew Stafford's national popularity skyrocketing
February 10
Detroit Free Press
 
"Life has changed quite a bit for quarterback Matthew Stafford the past 12 months. Coming off a breakout 5,000-yard season and the Lions' first playoff appearance in 12 years, Stafford rarely gets asked questions about his shoulder anymore, which is a good thing. And he's much more in demand, which has its ups and downs. Stafford spent a few days at the Super Bowl last week, conducting radio and TV interviews on behalf of DirecTV, signing autographs for Courtyard hotels and walking red-carpet events with the help of Van Heusen menswear."
Lions reportedly unsure if Best will be able to play again
January 29
NFL.com
 
"The sad saga of Detroit Lions running back Jahvid Best's attempt to return from a concussion that ended his 2011 doesn't appear to be over. Best missed most of the season following an Oct. 16 loss to the San Francisco 49ers and was bothered by post-concussion problems the rest of the season. But Best, who also suffered a concussion during the preseason and had a scary head injury while at the University of California, Berkeley, told the Detroit Free Press earlier this month that he's symptom free and "definitely" will be back next season. The feeling from within the Lions appears to be quite different. Multiple people within the organization are concerned the second-year running back"
Lions long snapper Don Muhlbach among free agents
January 28
Detroit Free Press
 
"The Lions have plenty of major free-agent decisions to make this off-season, and most center on Cliff Avril, Jeff Backus, Stephen Tulloch and Eric Wright. One that's under the radar is long snapper Don Muhlbach? After eight mostly anonymous seasons, Muhlbach will be an unrestricted free agent in March. He changed agents this past fall, leaving Jordan Solomon for David Dunn, and said he wants to re-sign with the only team he has known. "This is a great place, and I'd love to be here," Muhlbach said a day after the season ended. "But just let the guys that figure it out figure it out." Muhlbach would appear to be in the team's near-term plans. He's dependable, has a good rapport with kicker"
Mayhew on re-signing Johnson: 'It's workable'
January 12
Foxsports.com
 
"General manager Martin Mayhew has eased the panic that Calvin Johnson's contract might be too rich for the Detroit Lions to keep their superstar receiver. Johnson will be in the last year of his contract during the 2012 season, with a base salary of $14 million and a salary-cap number of more than $20 million. There has been media speculation that the impact of Johnson's contract on the team's salary cap for 2012 might be so great that the Lions would consider parting ways with him unless they can renegotiate his contract. Mayhew joked about Johnson's status at the start of his annual post-season meeting with Lions beat writers Thursday morning at the team's headquarters. "You think he's"
Lions release Aaron Brown to make room for Joique Bell
December 28
Detroit Free Press
 
"The Detroit Lions today released running back Aaron Brown to make room for Joique Bell, who was signed off the New Orleans Saints' practice squad on Monday. Brown, who was cut by the Lions in the preseason, re-signed Nov. 28, after Kevin Smith suffered a high ankle sprain. Signed because of his familiarity with the offense, he appeared in one game, carried one time and caught one pass for nine yards. Bell, a Wayne State product, signed a two-year contract and will provide depth behind Smith, Maurice Morris and Keiland Williams in Sunday's game against the Green Bay Packers and in the playoffs. He appeared in eight games with the Philadelphia Eagles and Indianapolis Colts last year but does"
NFL ready to hand Suh, Harrison substantial suspensions
December 14
NFL.com
 
"Detroit Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh and Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker James Harrison could face substantial suspensions -- including playoff games -- if they repeat the transgressions that led to their recent suspensions, according to a league source. Harrison was suspended Tuesday for Pittsburgh's game against the 49ers on Monday for a helmet-to-head hit on Browns quarterback Colt McCoy. NFL Network insider Jason La Canfora reported Harrison has requested an expedited hearing and a date has been set for his appeal on the league-issued discipline that also will cost him a game check. Suh returns this week from a two-game suspension -- which he appealed and subsequently lost --"
Kevin Smith currently is not expected to play
December 11
Pro Football Talk
 
"On Thanksgiving, Lions running back Kevin Smith suffered a sprained ankle. But he played last weekend against the Saints. That doesn't mean he'll be able to continue to play with the injury. Per a league source, Smith currently is not expected to play when the Lions host the Vikings."
Lions' Nate Burleson fined $7,500, he tells radio station
December 8
Detroit News
 
"Lions receiver Nate Burleson told radio station WXYT-1270 Wednesday that he was fined $7,500 for a facemask penalty Sunday. The NFL won't release fine information until Friday. It is likely that receiver Titus Young and Brandon Pettigrew also will be fined. They also committed personal fouls against the Saints."
Lions' Nick Fairley's solid night cut short after re-aggravating foot injury
December 5
Detroit Free Press
 
"Nick Fairley's frustrating season turned sour again Sunday when the rookie defensive tackle re-aggravated his troublesome foot injury in the first half of the Lions' 31-17 loss to the Saints. Playing in place of all-pro defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh, who served the first game of a two-game suspension for stomping Packers offensive lineman Evan Dietrich-Smith, Fairley had three tackles and his first career sack before limping off the field early in the second quarter. Lions coach Jim Schwartz said X-rays on Fairley's foot were negative."
Lions bring back running back Aaron Brown
November 30
Detroit News
 
"Ndamukong Suh is going to find out what Aaron Brown already knows — you don't realize how much you love this game until somebody takes it away from you. Suh was suspended two games (pending his appeal) for stomping on Packers offensive lineman Evan Dietrich-Smith last week. Brown, the Lions' sixth-round pick in 2009, was cut Sept. 4, one day after he had survived the team's final roster cuts. "I learned a lot of good life lessons," said Brown, whom the Lions signed to replace running back Jahvid Best (concussion), who is out for the season. "This game isn't promised. It's easy to get in but hard to stay in.""
Report: Suh suspended 2 games
November 29
Detroit Free Press
 
"Ndamukong Suh stomped an opponent on the arm, and for that the Lions' playoff chances have taken a punch to the gut. According to Fox Sports' Jay Glazer, the NFL informed the Lions today that it has suspended Suh two games for stomping on Green Bay Packers lineman Evan Dietrich-Smith during last week's Thanksgiving Day loss. The suspension is without pay, so Suh will forfeit $165, 294 the equivalent of 2/17ths of his base salary. According to Glazer, the suspension comes without any mandated counseling for anger management."
Ndamukong Suh to be banned 2 games?
November 27
ESPN.com
 
"Detroit Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh is expected to be suspended at least two games for shoving Green Bay Packers offensive lineman Evan Dietrich-Smith's head, stomping on him and then not owning up to it in his post-game comments, league sources told ESPN. The NFL has not determined exactly how long Suh will be suspended, but league officials believe two games will be the minimum. Sources say the league also could require Suh attend anger management courses. The NFL once suspended former Tennessee Titans defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth five games for stomping on the head of then-Cowboys center Andre Gurode, but the feeling around the league is that Suh's most recent act, which"
Jim Schwartz indicates no plans to punish Ndamukong Suh
November 26
Detroit Free Press
 
"Detroit Lions coach Jim Schwartz got so incensed with a personal foul committed by Gosder Cherilus at the end of a season-opening win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers that he benched Cherilus for the Week 2 game against the Kansas City Chiefs. But Schwartz, in an interview on SiriusXM NFL radio today, doesn't sound like he'll be doling out equal justice to Ndamukong Suh for the personal foul that got him kicked out of Thursday's game and cost the Lions points. "The league is, obviously, going to look at it, and if there's discipline involved in a case like that, it will come from the NFL," Schwartz said. Suh stomped on the arm of Green Bay Packers offensive lineman Evan Dietrich-Smith midway"
Lions' Kevin Smith likely to start vs. Packers
November 22
Detroit News
 
"It's probably not a huge surprise after his performance Sunday against Carolina, but if the early part of practice Tuesday was any indication, Kevin Smith is going to make his first start at running back since the 2009 season. Smith, who rushed for 140 yards Sunday and scored three touchdowns, was taking first-team reps during the skeleton drills Tuesday. Jahvid Best was still not cleared for physical activity and won't play Thursday. It's not set in stone, certainly, but it looks like Smith will start against the Packers."
Lions running back Jahvid Best will miss fourth game
November 18
Detroit News
 
"Jahvid Best has been back at the Lions practice facility the last couple days. He even put on his jersey for a bit Thursday. But as good as it is to see him smiling and walking around, it doesn't appear he's any closer to putting on the pads and returning to action. "He is improving," coach Jim Schwartz said. "He's back in the building and we are seeing him on a limited basis. Obviously that's a good sign. But there is still no clearance for physical activity." Best, who has been looked at by several specialists the past two weeks, will miss his fourth consecutive game with post-concussion symptoms. He was approached by reporters but, per team policy, declined to talk. "It's just good to"
Ben Graham ready to punt for Lions
November 18
Detroit News
 
"One thing about new Lions punter Ben Graham — he's not going to be overwhelmed by the size of the stage. The 38-year-old Australian has played in the biggest sporting event on two continents. He punted for the Cardinals in Super Bowl XLIII and was the captain of the Geelong Football Club that played in the Australian Rules Football League's Grand Final in 1995. "The comparison is that they are both sports' pinnacle games and the biggest games in their respective countries," Graham said. "But if you put them side by side, the Super Bowl is 10 times bigger, 10 times the spectacle, 10 times the money. But I am proud to be the first Australian to play in the Super Bowl." Graham was a star in"
Lions' Jahvid Best attends practice, but still out with concussion
November 17
Detroit Free Press
 
"Lions running back Jahvid Best did not practice Wednesday, but the team appears encouraged by Best's first appearance on the field since he suffered a concussion last month. Best watched practice in plainclothes and, according to the team's Web site, it was his first attendance at practice since his concussion against San Francisco on Oct. 16. Schwartz gave no update on Best, who has missed the past three games."
Lions sign former Australian-rules punter
November 17
Detroit News
 
"The Lions confirmed what was reported Tuesday night — they have signed Australian-rules football punter Ben Graham and released Robert Malone. Graham, 38, has kicked for three NFL teams — the Jets, Saints and Cardinals. His career average is 44 yards with a 37.7-yard net. He will punt Sunday if starting punter Ryan Donahue can't go. Donahue, who has a strained right quad, was expected to test the leg Wednesday."
NFL still sorting out fine mess from Bears-Lions melee
November 15
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"Players from the Bears and Detroit Lions are expected to make a sizeable contribution to the NFL's charitable partners this week. A scrap between Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford and Bears cornerback D.J. Moore cleared both benches and required several minutes to be sorted out. Based on the NFL's policy on fighting, about two dozen players should expect to pay a price, even if they were trying to play peacemaker. A league spokesman said they would review the brawl. "The NFL policy on fighting is very simple: Don't fight, and if a fight breaks out involving other players, stay away," the policy states. "If you are challenged, walk away from the situation and continue playing football."
Lions sign familiar face Kevin Smith and former Pro-Bowler Leonard Davis
November 8
Detroit Free Press
 
"The Lions didn't think enough of Kevin Smith to tender him a contract as a restricted free agent this off-season, but with their running game struggling and starter Jahvid Best still dealing with a concussion, they turned to a familiar face Monday. Smith and offensive guard Leonard Davis signed free-agent deals with the Lions. Both players worked out for the team last week, and Davis also visited in August after he was released by the Cowboys. "Obviously, I'm more familiar with Kevin. I played my first two years with him," quarterback Matthew Stafford said. "I know he brings a ton of hard work to the team. He's a guy that understands our offense. He's a leader with his work ethic."
Record at halfway point only similarity between '07, '11 Lions
November 8
Detroit News
 
"The brawny, 260-plus-pound running back rumbled 3 yards into the end zone and immediately channeled his inner 10-year-old. At that moment, T.J. Duckett didn't feel like a Lions running back simply doing what he was paid to do. He felt more like that wide-eyed youngster from Kalamazoo who longed for division titles, playoff appearances and Super Bowls after every Barry Sanders-led Thanksgiving Day triumph at the Pontiac Silverdome. Duckett, after all, had every reason to dream. His contribution helped the Lions destroy the Broncos, 44-7, at Ford Field in Week 9 of the 2007 season, leading to the franchise's first 6-2 start since 1999. This victory also, according to the Associated Press,"
Lions sign former All-Pro G Leonard Davis
November 7
Detroit News
 
"The Lions have signed former All-Pro offensive guard Leonard Davis, according to his agent Ryan Tollner. Davis, 33, worked out for the Lions on Thursday. They also interviewed him earlier this season. It is unclear who will be released to make room for him on the 53-man roster, but receiver Nate Burleson restructured his contract on Wednesday to clear nearly $820,000 in salary cap space."
Lions' Jahvid Best expects to return this season: 'I feel fine'
November 6
Detroit Free Press
 
"Lions running back Jahvid Best said he expects to return from his second concussion sometime this season, but he couldn't say whether he'll play after the bye next week against the Chicago Bears. "I have no idea," Best said before an autograph signing to open the Dick's Sporting Goods store Saturday in Canton. "If this wasn't our bye week I'd probably have a better idea, but right now everybody's gone and everybody's doing their own thing, so I have no idea." Best has yet to be cleared to return from the concussion he suffered in the second half of the Lions' Oct. 16 loss to the 49ers. He missed the last two games, hasn't returned to practice, and said Saturday he's "week to week.""
Petition protests Nickelback as Lions' Thanksgiving Day game performer
November 4
Detroit Free Press
 
"There was some irony in today's protest of Nickelback as halftime performer at the Detroit Lions' Thanksgiving Day game: The Motor City is actually one of the strongest markets for the band, which was one of the past decade's best-selling acts. With media coverage mushrooming and links springing up on sports and entertainment sites, an online petition was drawing dozens of signatures a minute this afternoon, inveighing against the band's selection for the Lions' Nov. 24 game against the Green Bay Packers, the same week the group's new album hits stores. By 5:30 p.m., more than 10,000 people had digitally signed the document asking the NFL to replace the "awful band." "Does anyone even like"
Forbes: Lions owner William Clay Ford is NFL's worst
November 3
Detroit Free Press
 
"Because they would know things like this, Forbes magazine took a stab at ranking the 10 best and 10 worst owners in the NFL over that last five years. Wanna guess where the Lions owner came in on the list? It's not pretty. "The worst NFL owner by our estimation is William Clay Ford Sr. of the Detroit Lions, who's known for both losing seasons and losing money. Not only did the Lions post the first 0-16 season in NFL history in 2008, the value of the franchise dropped 3 percent over the last five years. Detroit was also the only team in the NFL to lose money in 2010.""
Matthew Stafford rests sprained ankle during Lions practice
November 3
Detroit News
 
"Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford watched from the sidelines as backups Shaun Hill and Drew Stanton took most of the reps during the Lions' final workout Wednesday before taking a five-day break for the bye week. Stafford is resting a sprained right ankle he injured during the Lions' loss two weeks ago to Atlanta. He missed a practice last week but started in the Lions' 45-10 victory over Denver. There are no indications the injury will prevent him from missing the Lions' next game, Nov. 13, in Chicago."
Lions don't know if RB Jahvid Best will return after bye
October 31
Detroit News
 
"Lions coach Jim Schwartz on Monday could not definitively say whether or not he expects running back Jahvid Best to be back after the bye week. Best missed his second straight game Sunday after incurring a second concussion in three months against the 49ers. "We'll see," Schwartz said. "You can't have a timetable on these things. We've gone through it with Justin Durant and Tony Scheffler. Some come back quickly and some last longer.""
Lions' Ndamukong Suh to meet with NFL commissioner
October 31
Detroit News
 
"Ndamukong Suh is going straight to the source. Tired of the growing perception that he's a dirty player, tired of getting fined for making hard plays, Suh will meet with Commissioner Roger Goodell on Tuesday. "It's more or less just to get an understanding of how they want to look at my play," Suh said after the 45-10 win Sunday. "It's just an opportunity to have a great dialogue and see what I can take out of the meeting. If it's nothing, then it's nothing. If it's something, then it's something." Suh has been fined three times the last two years. Last week, amid reports from Falcons players that he taunted quarterback Matt Ryan while he lay prone on the field (which Suh denied), Suh"
Suh hoping for explanation from league office on repeated fines
October 30
NFL.com
 
"Detroit Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh is scheduled to meet with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell this week to discuss fines he has received from the league this season, according to Fox Sports reporter and NFL Network contributor Jay Glazer. What makes the situation unique is that it was Suh who requested the meeting in New York. Glazer reported Suh is looking for an explanation of what he's doing wrong, while also pleading his case why he shouldn't be getting fined."
Stafford says he's starting today in Denver
October 30
Pro Football Talk
 
"As the Lions try to stop a two-game slide in the Mile High city, they'll have the services of quarterback Matthew Stafford. Stafford tells Ed Werder of ESPN that the third-year player will indeed start on Sunday, despite a sprained ankle."
Lions claim Chris Harris from Bears
October 29
Detroit Free Press
 
"The Detroit Lions claimed former Chicago Bears safety Chris Harris off waivers today. "It's going to be weird," Harris told the Free Press. "It's going to be kind of a surreal feeling, but I think it's going to be fun. It's definitely going to be fun." Harris said he's flying up to Detroit from Little Rock, Ark., tonight. The Bears are on their bye right now. The Lions put safety Vincent Fuller (forearm) on season-ending injured reserve to clear a roster spot. Harris is not expected to play Sunday but eventually could help the Lions as a backup safety and on special teams. He started all three games he played with the Bears this year but suffered an injured hamstring in the opener and got"
Lions' Matthew Stafford practices with first-team offense
October 28
Detroit News
 
"Another day, another step closer to recovery for quarterback Matthew Stafford. Stafford, fighting through a right ankle sprain, was moving much more fluidly during the open portion of practice Thursday. He was making throws off five-step drops and he quarterbacked the first-team offense in the skeleton drills. Barring any setbacks, it appears he is on pace to start in Denver on Sunday."
Source: Lions' Jahvid Best unlikely to play vs. Broncos
October 27
Detroit Free Press
 
"The headaches have mostly subsided, and Jahvid Best is feeling "pretty normal," but the Detroit Lions running back is likely to miss his second straight game Sunday with a concussion, a person close to Best said today. Best, who suffered his second concussion of the season two weeks ago in a loss to the San Francisco 49ers, did not practice today, and it's unknown whether he'll travel with the team to Denver."
Lions QB Matthew Stafford shows shaky delivery, but Schwartz not worried
October 26
Detroit News
 
"Quarterback Matthew Stafford always has been somewhat of a gunslinger. Even during his days at Georgia, he would hurl the ball sidearm or underhand at times if that was the best way to get the pass off. He's done it with greater frequency the last two weeks, which, given he's coming off right shoulder surgery, has raised some concern about the health of his arm. Coach Jim Schwartz, doing his weekly spot on 97.1 on Tuesday, calmed those concerns. "He's thrown a couple sidearm, but going back, he's made those throws before, particularly on play-action passes where he's trying to get it underneath," Schwartz said. "He's gotten some balls tipped. I think he had two in a row tipped last game"
Lions' Ndamukong Suh goes on defense to protect reputation
October 25
Detroit News
 
"Ndamukong Suh had a lot to say Monday. But nothing said it better than this. "If I'm not gonna protect myself," the Lions all-Pro defensive tackle mused, "then nobody else is going to." That, as much as any statement — alleged or otherwise, heard or unspoken — might explain what he's thinking these days, both on and off the field. Because he's being asked to wage a war on both fronts, no matter how understandably reluctant he is to admit it. When he's not fighting opponents double teams in the trenches — and the cheap shots that inevitably come with them — he finds himself fighting, or at least being asked to fight, a perception that he's a dirty player, fueled by postgame comments from"
Stafford is in a boot with an ankle sprain
October 24
Pro Football Talk
 
"Folks in Detroit can exhale, apparently. Quarterback Matthew Stafford believed after Sunday's knee/ankle injuries that he'd be fine, and he apparently will be fine. Per a source with knowledge of the situation, Stafford is in a walking boot with a sprained ankle. We're told that, as of now, the thinking is that it's slightly better than the dreaded high ankle sprain."
QB Matthew Stafford injures lower leg as Lions lose again
October 24
Detroit News
 
"Something had to give Sunday afternoon at Ford Field between two heavily penalized teams searching for momentum. In yet another wild finish, the Lions dropped their second straight game with a 23-16 loss to the Falcons before a sellout crowd of 63,625. And the news might get even worse for coach Jim Schwartz's team because quarterback Matthew Stafford limped off the field late in the game with what appeared to be an ankle injury. Schwartz didn't want to speculate on Stafford's status, but confirmed it could be a concern. "We're going to check him out," Schwartz said. "We'll look at his knee and his ankle.""
A life-saving transaction? Reports: Jerome Harrison has brain tumor
October 21
Detroit Free Press
 
"The trade that wasn't might have saved Jerome Harrison's life. According to ESPN, doctors discovered Harrison had a brain tumor during his physical Wednesday, voiding the Detroit Lions' deadline deal with the Philadelphia Eagles for running back Ronnie Brown and sending Harrison back to Detroit. Harrison's agent did not return messages seeking comment, and Harrison did not reply to an e-mail. His sister, Jasmine Persell, said "he's doing good" but said she didn't know any details about his condition. The Lions wouldn't confirm the report and listed Harrison as did-not-practice because of an "illness" on today's injury report. "It's a privacy issue, and I'm not going to comment on it,""
Sources: Jerome Harrison has tumor
October 20
ESPN.com
 
"As Philadelphia Eagles doctors were giving newly acquired running back Jerome Harrison his physical, they discovered a brain tumor that nullified a trade with the Detroit Lions, according to two league sources. The trade might have actually saved Harrison's life, the sources said. Without the deal being made, Harrison would not have undergone a physical. The tumor is now being treated, according to sources."
Report: 'Close' advisers tell Lions' Best to consider ending season
October 20
Detroit News
 
"The drama surrounding the Lions' running back position has thickened. First, the trade for Eagles running back Ronnie Brown was nixed Wednesday when Jerome Harrison failed his physical in Philadelphia. Harrison was not at the Lions' practice Thursday morning. Neither the Lions nor Harrison's agent, Mitch Frankel, responded to questions regarding Harrison's health. Secondly, according to a report from CBSsports.com's Mike Freeman, "Lions running back Jahvid Best has been advised by people close to him to 'strongly consider sitting out the year' after suffering his second concussion of the season last Sunday." The family is fearful, according the report, that another concussion this season"
Jahvid Best 'day by day'; progress for Justin Durant
October 20
Detroit Free Press
 
"Lions running back Jahvid Best was not allowed to speak with reporters after he suffered the third concussion of his playing career Sunday. Best walked through the locker room briefly Wednesday and said little after missing practice. "As of right now I'm just taking it day by day," he said. Best is part of the Lions' trio of concussed players who missed practice Wednesday. Tight end Tony Scheffler missed Sunday's game and declined to speak with reporters. Only linebacker Justin Durant, who has missed the past three games, shed light on his second career concussion and said he was encouraged by his progress."
Harrison returns to Lions, Brown to Eagles after trade is voided
October 20
CSN Philly
 
"For the second time in two months, Ronnie Brown has become an Eagle. The circumstances are just a little bit different this time. Brown, one of the Eagles' ballyhooed training camp Pro Bowl acquisitions, was returned to the team on Wednesday, one day after being traded to the Lions for Jerome Harrison after Harrison failed his physical with the Eagles. The Eagles shipped Brown to Detroit seconds before Tuesday's 4 p.m. NFL trade deadline in exchange for Harrison, who spent most of last year with the Eagles and averaged 6.0 yards on 40 carries. The Eagles also received the Lions' seventh-round pick in 2013."
Lions not ruling Jahvid Best out of Sunday's game
October 19
Detroit News
 
"Lions coach Jim Schwartz didn't rule out the possibility of running back Jahvid Best playing in Sunday's game against the Falcons, in an interview with 97.1 FM on Tuesday. Best suffered a concussion in the fourth quarter of last week's game against the 49ers. "Oh, sure," Schwartz said when asked if Best could play this week. "He's just needs to pass all his (concussion tests). But again, it's a very objective test by neutral doctors and things like that. The good news with Jahvid is that he was able to finish the game.""
Jahvid Best could play Sunday, Lions coach says
October 18
Detroit Free Press
 
"Detroit Lions coach Jim Schwartz wouldn't rule Jahvid Best out of Sunday's game against the Atlanta Falcons during his weekly radio appearance on 97.1-FM this morning, but Schwartz said if Best can't play he's confident there won't be any drop-off at the running-back position. "Maurice Morris has always played well when we've given him the football," Schwartz told the station. "He has different roles when Jahvid's been healthy but late in the year last year, middle of the year when Jahvid's toes were bothering him, Maurice came in and played very well. The year before that he went in and rushed for 100 yards. "And Jerome Harrison has been that guy in his career also. Last year he didn't"
Lions thin at safety after Erik Coleman goes on IR
October 14
Detroit Free Press
 
"Erik Coleman never won the starting safety job many expected when he signed with the Lions before the lockout, but that doesn't mean the Lions won't miss him. Coleman was placed on injured reserve Thursday, ending his season prematurely with what coach Jim Schwartz called "a pretty significant high-ankle sprain" and further depleting their depth at an already-thin position. "We haven't had a bunch of injuries this year, but that's one position we've had some injury situations," Schwartz said. "You guys see him around, it's almost two weeks later, he's still not even off crutches. It was going to be awhile, and even then we don't know how long it was going to be to get him on the field, so"
Lions' Calvin Johnson on pace to break Randy Moss' mark
October 8
Detroit Free Press
 
"Calvin Johnson is on pace to shatter Randy Moss' record for most receiving touchdowns in a season. Johnson, the second player in NFL history with multiple receiving touchdowns in four straight games, has eight touchdowns entering Monday night's game against the Bears and is on track for 32 this season. Moss caught 23 touchdowns in his first season with the Patriots in 2007. Lions offensive coordinator Scott Linehan, who coached Moss for three seasons in Minnesota, said the two players challenge defenses in similar ways. "Where the comparison is ... is that they were both just very physically gifted players that have imposing size, and they also have the ability to attack every part of the"
Source: Lions' Fairley to debut
October 6
ESPN.com
 
"Although the Detroit Lions continue to downplay the practice return of defensive tackle Nick Fairley, the rookie will make his debut Monday night against the Chicago Bears, according to a source familiar with the situation. The 12th overall pick of the NFL draft, Fairley broke his foot in training camp, causing him to miss the entire preseason and the team's first four games. Lions coach Jim Schwartz sidestepped questions regarding Fairley's potential availability earlier in the week. But according to the source, Fairley has told friends and family -- who are traveling to Detroit for the game -- that he expects to participate in a situational capacity. Fairley returned to the practice"
Fairley practices, but may not play Monday
October 6
Detroit Free Press
 
"Lions rookie Nick Fairley practiced Wednesday for just the second time since he fractured his left foot Aug. 1, but the defensive tackle's status for Monday night's game against the Bears remains up in the air. "(He's) getting better," coach Jim Schwartz said. "Improving every day, and we'll get him back as soon as we can." Fairley has not played since undergoing foot surgery in training camp. He returned to practice Sept. 23 and took part in one period of individual drills, then sat out all of last week, working behind closed doors with trainers."
Lions LB Justin Durant going through post-concussion testing
September 30
Detroit News
 
"It would appear that receiver Calvin Johnson is on the Kyle Vanden Bosch practice plan — which is, stay off the field Wednesday and return Thursday and Friday. That's been the case the last three weeks. The Lions have kept Johnson off the field on Wednesdays while he nurses a shoulder bruise. Vanden Bosch has been prescribed a Wednesday rest day all season. Both were back practicing Thursday. Safety Louis Delmas may also be on that plan. He has missed the last two Wednesdays, but returned Thursday. None of those three players have missed any game action."