- Practice was delayed as the Detroit Lions waited for the official word that the CBA had been ratified. When things finally got started all of the players previously unable to practice charged out to the field and Rashied Davis yelled, "We're free! We're free!"
- The list of players that missed practice on Thursday is as follows (via Paula Pasche): RB Maurice Morris, WR Titus Young, TE Richard Dickson, LT Jeff Backus, RT Gosder Cherilus, DT Nick Fairley, LB Isaiah Ekejiuba, CB Eric Wright and S Louis Delmas. Wright was dealing with an illness and Delmas had an excused absence for personal reasons.
- Chris McCosky reports that DT Andre Fluellen and CB Nathan Vasher didn't finish the practice due to injuries.
- Erik Coleman stepped in for Delmas at safety and Aaron Berry continued to work with the first-team defense at cornerback with Wright out.
- DeAndre Levy lined up at middle linebacker and Stephen Tulloch was at right outside linebacker during Thursday's practice. Chances are the positions each linebacker plays will be mixed up every now and then so they can be ready to play any spot, but I would bet Tulloch eventually moves back to the middle for good.
- Jason Fox continued to play at left tackle with the first-string offense. Corey Hilliard stepped in at right tackle for the first-string offense. Previously Donald Thomas had been filling in for Gosder Cherilus, but Hilliard took over the role since he was allowed to practice on Thursday.
- Cliff Avril isn't concerned about his contract situation. He said that it's his agent's job to worry about it, as he is "here to play football and get sacks."
- Jim Schwartz says this is a "big year" for Avril.
- Tom Kowalski was impressed by the defense on Thursday.
- Matthew Stafford is excited that most of the team (everybody that isn't injured) is now practicing.
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