Lions Beat Browns, 35-27, To Improve To 2-1 In Preseason

Detroit, MI (Sports Network) - Aaron Brown rushed for a pair of fourth-quarter touchdowns as Detroit rallied past Cleveland, 35-27, in preseason action from Ford Field.

Matt Stafford played three quarters and went 13-of-17 for 141 yards and one score for the Lions, who have won two of three exhibition matches.

Kevin Smith also rushed for a touchdown, while Calvin Johnson led the receiving corps with 42 yards on a pair of catches. Bryant Johnson recorded a seven-yard TD reception and Chris Houston returned a fumble 14 yards for another score.

Jake Delhomme played the first half and went 20-of-25 for 152 yards and one touchdown for the Browns, who fell to 1-2 in the preseason.

Peyton Hillis posted 26 rushing yards and a touchdown on seven carries, Josh Cribbs had three catches for 47 yards and Lawrence Vickers posted a TD reception in defeat.

Eric Wright recorded a 44-yard fumble return for a score and Phil Dawson hit both of his field-goal attempts.

The Browns lost defensive back Nick Sorensen to an unknown injury in the second quarter. He had to be removed from the field on a stretcher with a backboard after a pair of Lions hit him during kickoff coverage. He was taken to a local hospital for evaluation.

NFL Preseason, Browns At Lions: 6 Players Out For Detroit

The following players have been ruled out and will not play for the Lions today against Cleveland:

• DE Lawrence Jackson
• CB Aaron Berry
• CB Jonathan Wade
• CB Jack Williams
• S C.C. Brown
• K Jason Hanson

NFL Preseason, Browns At Lions: Previewing Today's Game

(Sports Network) - The Detroit Lions will make their first Ford Field appearance of the 2010 preseason on Saturday evening, when they welcome the Cleveland Browns to town in the third game of the warm-up period for each club.

The Lions, who are looking to rebound from a two-year stretch that has produced a combined 2-30 record, opened the preseason with a loss at the Steelers (23-7) and win at the Broncos (25-20). A 25-yard touchdown scramble by backup quarterback Drew Stanton in the closing moments gave Detroit the win in Denver last week.

But it was the play of Matthew Stafford and the first-team offense that yielded the most encouraging signs. The second-year pro completed 13-of-18 passes for 130 yards in the win, including a 20-yard touchdown pass to top wideout Calvin Johnson.

First-round rookie running back Jahvid Best, who will make his first appearance before the Ford Field faithful on Saturday night, led all rushers with eight carries for 49 yards.

The team's other 2010 first-rounder, defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh, will also be making his Motor City debut on Saturday.

On the injury front for Detroit, defensive end Jared DeVries (knee) and kicker Jason Hanson (knee) are among the notables who are expected to be absent, though safety Louis Delmas (groin) could see some time after missing the first two games of the preseason.

Like the Lions, the Browns are hoping to see continued good things from their first-team offense. Quarterback Jake Delhomme has been excellent during his first preseason in a Cleveland uniform, completing 18-of-23 passes (78.3 percent) for 193 yards and a touchdown during the warm-up period.

Delhomme and the first-string should play at least the first half before yielding to backups.

Running back Montario Hardesty (knee) and ex-Lions defensive tackle Shaun Rogers (ankle) are among the Browns who are not expected to play on Saturday.

The Lions hold a 21-19-1 edge in their all-time preseason series with the Browns, but were 27-10 losers when they visited Cleveland prior to last season.

The teams also met in meaningful play last Nov. 22nd at Ford Field, a game won by Detroit, 38-37, thanks to a last second touchdown pass from Stafford to tight end Brandon Pettigrew.

NFL Preseason, Browns At Lions: Louis Delmas Expected To Play

Lions safety Louis Delmas had an up and down training camp. Because of a groin injury, he was unable to consistently practice during camp, preventing him from seeing any action during the first two games of the preseason. As a result, many have grown more and more concerned over his status going forward because his injury seems to just not want to go away.

The good news for Delmas (and Lions fans) is that he had his best week of practice yet and should be in the starting lineup this afternoon against Cleveland. Delmas practiced on Monday and Tuesday, and although he sat out Wednesday to rest, he was back at it on Thursday. All of this means that Delmas should play today, according to Jim Schwartz.

Schwartz on Delmas playing Sat: "Yeah, unless something happens between now and then. But that's the way we planned his practice this week "

Delmas is a huge part of the Lions' defense, so him playing would be great news for the team.

NFL Preseason, Browns At Lions: Game To Be Shown Locally On Tape-Delay

Because the Lions did not sell all of their tickets for Saturday's home game against the Browns, it will not be broadcast live locally. Instead the game will be shown on tape-delay, starting at 9 p.m. on WWJ. Start times in other areas will vary depending on the station.

For Lions fans that don't live in the area and have NFL Network, they will be able to watch the game live. NFL Network is showing the game when it kicks off at 5 p.m., but for fans in the local area, it will be blacked out. If you're outside of the blackout zone, you're good to go, though.

The Lions' final preseason game is at home against the Buffalo Bills on Thursday, and although nothing is official yet, it will almost certainly be blacked out as well.