National Football League

Young regrets penalty on Patriots' Brady

Published Aug. 25, 2013 12:25 a.m. ET

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Defensive end Willie Young said he regrets his penalty for taunting Tom Brady in Detroit's 40-9 preseason win over the New England Patriots on Thursday night.

After hurrying Brady into an incompletion in the New England end zone, Young grabbed Brady by the collar and put his finger in the quarterback's face.

Instead of facing third-and-10 deep in their own territory, the Patriots got a first down.

''I just can't do things to hurt the team and I know that,'' Young said after Saturday's practice.

The penalty happened late in the second quarter and Detroit coach Jim Schwartz benched Young for the remainder of the game after the play.

''There is no explanation (for Young's actions) that would serve any purpose in this case,'' Schwartz said.

Young wouldn't say what he said to Brady.

''What happened between the lines stays between the lines,'' Young said. '' . Tom Brady, I have much respect for him. Ask Tom Brady what I said.''

Young wouldn't discuss the matter any further.

''I'm moving on to Buffalo,'' he said, in reference to the Lions' final preseason game on the road against the Bills on Thursday.

The Lions have gotten a reputation for taking costly, undisciplined penalties over the past two seasons and it has continued so far in the first three preseason games.

Two of Young's fellow defensive linemen, Nick Fairley and C.J. Also took penalties after the whistle earlier in the win over New England.

''We're trying to avoid penalties as much as we can,'' Schwartz said. ''I'm not going to bench a guy for grabbing somebody's face mask or something.''

Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson, who was a last-minute scratch for the win over the Patriots because of a bruised knee, was on the field for Saturday's practice but did not participate in drills.

Johnson referred all questions about his injury to Schwartz, who said ''I'm not going to comment on anybody's physical condition.''

Defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh was also on the field, but didn't practice.

Running back Montell Owens also didn't practice. He suffered a knee injury against New England.

Other starters not practicing were safety Louis Delmas, who returned from a knee injury in Thursday night's game by playing two series, linebacker Ashlee Palmer, defensive lineman Jason Jones (knee), cornerback Chris Houston and rookie punter Sam Martin.

Reserves who didn't practice were tight ends Michael Williams, Matt Veldman (Achilles tendon) and Joseph Fauria and safety John Wendling.

But safety Grover Quin, who left Thursday's game in the first half due to a hip injury, did practice on Saturday.

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AP NFL website www.pro32.ap.org

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