Lions at Bills: Detroit rules out half of its starting lineup

In case you needed another example that the preseason is too long, allow me to present the Detroit Lions' list of "inactives" for Thursday night's game against the Buffalo Bills (via Tim Twentyman):

Offense

QB Matthew Stafford
RB Reggie Bush
WR Calvin Johnson
WR Golden Tate
TE Brandon Pettigrew
OG Rob Sims
C Dominic Raiola

Defense

DE Jason Jones
DT Ndamukong Suh
LB Kyle Van Noy
CB Rashean Mathis
S James Ihedigbo
S Don Carey

Clearly, the Lions are being extra careful by not even risking injuries with many of their starters. That's the right move in my book, even if it makes Thursday's preseason finale even more meaningless than it already was.

With the Lions ruling out so many starters, the following players are in the starting lineup against Buffalo (again, via Twentyman): Dan Orlovsky (QB), Theo Riddick (RB), Kevin Ogletree (WR), Kris Durham (WR), Joseph Fauria (TE), Garrett Reynolds (LG), Travis Swanson (C), Devin Taylor (DE), Nick Fairley (DT), Tahir Whitehead (OLB), Bill Bentley (CB) and Isa Abdul-Quddus (S).

If nothing else, Thursday's game will provide an outstanding opportunity to many of the players who are fighting for roster spots. With many starters taking the night off, the backups will get even more of a chance to play, and several guys could really help their chances of making the 53-man roster.