- Starting right guard Stephen Peterman had an MRI on his swollen knee on Monday. Peterman has been able to practice through the injury for the most of training camp so far, but the Lions obviously want to make sure nothing is wrong. Jim Schwartz doesn't think it's serious, so let's hope he's right.
- As long as Schwartz is head coach of the Lions, they will not be a team ever featured on HBO's Hard Knocks, which is following the Jets this year. Schwartz wants some things to remain private and doesn't think the distraction would be a good thing for his players. I can definitely understand that, although it would be cool to get an inside look at Lions camp someday.
- Chris Houston was demoted to the second team on Sunday after allowing a big play to happen. Gunther Cunningham, as expected, let Houston have it for allowing the big play, and then he sent him down to the second team while Eric King went to first-team corner and Dre Bly got work as the first-team nickel.
- Jon Jansen got a demotion of his own on Sunday after moving early three times in a span of six plays.
- Jerome Felton made his return to practice on Sunday.
- Caleb Campbell has moved up the depth chart, as he is now practicing with the second team.
- Louis Delmas likely won't play against the Steelers on Saturday.
- Maurice Morris missed practice on Monday with a leg injury, but he was apparently held out only for precautionary reasons.
- DeAndre Levy isn't quite sure when he will return from his injury, as he is just taking it easy right now in order to not risk a bigger setback.
- It's no secret that the Lions are putting more focus on improving kickoff coverage this year, and that was made even more evident by Jim Schwartz after practice a couple days ago.
I'm sure there will be a few debates about spots on the roster and whether they should go to a player that is more of a true linebacker or can play LB and special teams effectively."We need to do a better job covering kicks and that's something we're putting a lot of emphasis on," Schwartz said. "We have some guys who are very credentialed special teams players, guys who made their niche in the NFL playing that stuff (referring to Vinny Ciurciu, Dante Wesley, Isaiah Ekejiuba, among others). Other guys are good offensive and defensive players who need to find a role.
"When we finalize that 53-man roster, the ability to cover kicks and play on special teams will be a determining factor for more than a few guys making the team or not making the team."
- Nate Burleson is "in the mix" to return punts.
- Burleson wants to bring some added excitement to the Lions' receiving corps, and he even has Calvin Johnson getting into it by planning touchdown celebrations.
- Bill Ford drove his custom Ford GT to practice on Sunday, and Jim Schwartz and some players were very impressed by it.
- Even preseason NFL games are huge ratings winners.