Daniel Loper News

INACTIVE: WR Mike Hass, S Jamar Adams, G Mike Gibson, G Mansfield Wrotto, DT Red Bryant, WR Ben Obomanu, TE Cameron Morrah.

Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson will return today against the Seahawks after missing two games with a right knee injury.

The Detroit Lions are expected to continue to rotate Ernie Sims, above, and DeAndre Levy at the right outside linebacker spot, and playing time could be based on who has the hot hand.

Not only are the Lions 1-6, they're coming off back-to-back stinkers. They were dominated in a 26-0 loss at Green Bay.

At some point in the 2009 NFL season, the Detroit Lions needed to find a time to exhale.

Matthew Stafford will start at quarterback for the Lions as they host the St. Louis Rams Sunday at Ford Field.

Now that the Lions have made the unthinkable thinkable by going 0-16 last year, everyone is wondering who will be the second team to do it.

The Lions' top young offensive players - quarterback Matthew Stafford and wide receiver Calvin Johnson - will not play today against the Packers because of right knee injuries.

Detroit Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson poses with Schnitzel, Schiza and Schmiegen, three American Eskimo dogs owned by Lions fan Hellen Hines of Dearborn.

As expected, there were some familiar faces -- a welcome sight for the coaching staff -- back at practice as the Lions returned from their bye weekend.

Posted by ESPN.com's Kevin Seifert I thought you produced a constructive and lively discussion this week on the future of Detroit.

The Lions have made numerous starting lineup changes today: Daunte Culpepper starts at QB for Matthew Stafford.

The Lions' top young offensive players - quarterback Matthew Stafford and wide receiver Calvin Johnson - will not play today against the Packers because of right knee injuries.

In this job, you get asked questions all the time about the different personalities of players and coaches.

The suggestion could be made that with Washington Redskins running back Clinton Portis active for today's game against the Detroit Lions that the Redskins will try to pound the ball and attempt to dominant the game that way.

There weren't any real surprises on the Detroit Lions' inactive list for today's game against the Minnesota Vikings, but Manny Ramirez will get the start at left guard today in place of Daniel Loper.

DT, INDIANAPOLIS COLTS LAST WK: W vs. JAX, 14-12 Dawson did not start, but chipped in two tackles for Indianapolis as the Colts kicked off their 2009 campaign with a gutty, two-point victory over division foe, Jacksonville.

The Lions added a piece to their defensive line puzzle Thursday when they claimed defensive end Turk McBride off waivers from Kansas City.

Lions right guard Stephen Peterman missed practice with an undisclosed injury, punt return specialist Yamon Figurs left practice with a finger injury and kicker Jason Hanson's status for Sunday's game has not been resolved.

More than any other position on the field, the five members of the offensive line need continuity and chemistry.