Calvin Johnson expected to make preseason debut this week

After sitting out the first two preseason games, Detroit Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson is expected to make his 2014 preseason debut on Friday night against the Jacksonville Jaguars. We won't know for sure until the Lions announce their starting lineup on Friday night, but all signs point to Johnson playing this week:

Jim Caldwell said the #Lions plan to get Calvin Johnson some run against the Jaguars. Not sure about Ziggy Ansah, though.

— Josh Katzenstein (@jkatzenstein) August 18, 2014

Johnson missed the first two preseason games mainly for precautionary reasons. He had a pair of offseason surgeries, and the Lions have been managing his reps quite carefully this summer. With this week's game serving as the Lions' dress rehearsal for the regular season, it would make sense for Johnson to actually play, even if it is on a somewhat limited basis.

Most starters will play into the third quarter for the #Lions, but Calvin won't play as long, Caldwell said.

— Dave Birkett (@davebirkett) August 18, 2014

As the first tweet mentioned, Ziggy Ansah's status for Friday's game is still up in the air. He was just activated from the PUP list last week, and it remains to be seen if he will actually be ready to play by Friday. If he's not, then his return to game action will have to wait until the Lions' preseason finale in Buffalo next week.