When the Lions wrap up the preseason against the Bills on Thursday, they will be without linebacker DeAndre Levy. Levy is out after pulling a groin muscle against the Browns, which is going to put his status for the start of the 2010 regular season up in the air.

"We know Levy isn’t going to play against Buffalo," Schwartz said Monday. "We’re going to get him some rest and try to get him back as quickly as possible."

Schwartz, though, acknowledged that there’s a chance Levy won’t be ready for the Sept. 12 regular-season opener in Chicago. Levy isn’t sure.

"It is hard to say right now," he said. "It is going to depend on how it heals and how I feel next week."

With Jordon Dizon already done for the season, the Lions are a little thin when it comes to having starting-caliber players at middle linebacker. They've made due in the preseason with Vinny Ciurciu and Isaiah Ekejiuba, but not having Levy for the season opener against Chicago would certainly be a blow to the defense.