ALLEN PARK, Mich. -- J.J. Watt got his massive contract and Ndamukong Suh's time is coming soon.
Suh, entering his fifth season as a defensive tackle for the Detroit Lions, can become an unrestricted free agent after this year.
Watt, a defensive end for the Houston Texans, received a six-year, $100 million extension, leading to speculation that Suh could receive a similar deal on the open market.
Or at least that's what he will be expecting next March.
"I haven't really looked at it," Suh said of the Watt contract. "J.J. is an exceptional player, Pro Bowler, All-Pro guy, defensive player of the year guy. He deserves to be paid what he's paid."
If Suh were to be paid similarly, the chances of him returning to Detroit, many presume, would be unlikely because the Lions are already paying quarterback Matthew Stafford and receiver Calvin Johnson top-end salaries.
The Lions broke off contract negotiations with Suh on the first day of training camp, but team president Tom Lewand has said he's still confident they can re-sign their former first-round draft pick.
Asked if he'd like to get paid like Watt, Suh said, "I have no clue. Talk to my agent (Jimmy Sexton)."
As for whether he believes he's the top defensive player in the game, Suh answered, "I think I play hard. I go out there and help my team win games. That's my goal every single day. Go out there and compete, play as hard as I can, find ways to help my team win. At the end of the day, that's all I want to do is win."
FINE WITH HIM
Despite his track record, Suh didn't get fined, as many expected at the time, for a hit on the quarterback that was penalized for a personal foul during the preseason.
"I think they (the NFL), for sure, understand that I made changes and I'm a person that likes to play within the rules, plays hard," Suh said. "I think I'm a guy that's fast and strong so my hits look pretty egregious at times. But at the end of the day, I'm just going out there to play as hard as I can."
Suh said the change he made is "just understanding the rules."
"As simple as that," he added.
INJURY REPORT
Safeties James Ihedigbo (knee/neck) and Don Carey (hamstring) missed practice again Thursday.
Ihedigbo's injuries were confirmed for the first time when the Lions were forced to release a practice report per NFL rules.
If neither can play in Monday's opener, the Lions will start either Jerome Couplin, an undrafted rookie from William & Mary, or Isa Abdul-Quddus, a fourth-year pro from Fordham.
