ALLEN PARK, Mich. (AP) -- Calvin Johnson was back on the practice
field for the Detroit Lions. That doesn't mean his status for this
weekend is even close to determined.
"I don't have any updates on him," coach Jim Schwartz said. "You guys saw what you saw."
Johnson was inactive in a loss at Green
Bay last weekend because of an injured right knee. He didn't practice
Wednesday, but he was on the field Thursday during the portion of
practice open to reporters.
Johnson didn't participate in every drill, but he did do some footwork and pass-catching exercises with other receivers.
"It feels good to be out there," Johnson said. "I'm feeling better, definitely. So we can just leave it at that."
Detroit lost 22-9 to the Packers without
Johnson. The star receiver has 21 catches for 312 yards and four
touchdowns on the season. The Lions play at Cleveland on Sunday.
"It certainly helps to have him out
there," offensive coordinator Scott Linehan said. "That's the
understatement of the day."
The Lions (3-2) had won two in a row
before arriving in Green Bay, but Johnson was a surprising scratch. He'd
given cryptic answers about his health a few days before the game, but
Johnson had been banged up before and missed only one game since the
start of the 2010 season.
He had to sit out another Sunday, and
Detroit's offense did not look good at all. The Lions are also missing
receiver Nate Burleson, who is still recovering after hurting his arm in
a car accident.
Burleson was on the practice field
Thursday as well, wearing a backward cap. While his teammates caught
footballs, he tried to catch tennis balls with his good arm during
drills.
Burleson isn't expected back for a
while, but Johnson's presence on the field was at least a small step in
the right direction.
"It's just going to depend on how he
feels when we get to game day," Schwartz said. "He had a bunch of times
last year where he didn't practice at all, and went out and played on
Sunday, and last week he practiced on Friday and wasn't able to go out
there on Sunday."
Tight ends Brandon Pettigrew and Tony
Scheffler had four catches apiece last weekend, but Scheffler is now
recovering from a concussion and didn't practice at all Thursday.
Suddenly Detroit's dynamic passing game looks decimated, putting more
pressure on running back Reggie Bush.
The Lions hope for a lift from Kevin
Ogletree, who signed with Detroit last week and caught a couple passes
against Green Bay.
"He has really good hands. It's good to
see him catch the ball with his hands all the time," Johnson said. "It
builds confidence in the coaches in him."
The Lions don't like to give out much
information on injuries because they worry it could provide a
competitive advantage to the opponent, but this week, the real question
is about Detroit's preparation. If Johnson can't play, can the Lions
come close to replacing his production?
Schwartz says the uncertainty surrounding Johnson isn't a distraction for the rest of the team.
"There's a lot of fantasy football
owners that want to know whether he's going to play or not," Schwartz
said. "But the guys in the locker room, we're prepared."
NOTES:
T Jason Fox (knee), LB Ashlee Palmer (ankle) and RB Theo Riddick
(concussion) did not practice. S Louis Delmas (knee), CB Chris Houston
(hamstring) and S Glover Quin (ankle) were limited.
