The Detroit Lions are set to take on the Buffalo Bills on Thursday in their preseason finale. Typically starters don't see much or any action in the final game of the preseason, but Lions head coach Jim Schwartz said on Tuesday that his starters will play. Just how much they will play remains to be seen, but Schwartz did say he doesn't expect the starters to be in for long.
One starter whose status for Thursday was in question before Tuesday is running back Jahvid Best. Although he returned to practice last week, he sat out the New England Patriots game as a precaution since he suffered a concussion against the Cleveland Browns. It was unclear if he was going to also sit out the Bills game, but Schwartz said on Tuesday that Best will play.
The list of players who will not suit up against the Bills includes running back Maurice Morris, wide receiver Nate Burleson, offensive tackle Jason Fox, defensive end Kyle Vanden Bosch, defensive tackle Nick Fairley and cornerback Alphonso Smith. Burleson had stitches put into his elbow after cutting his incision from offseason surgery, so the Lions don't want to risk an infection. Vanden Bosch is dealing with a sore shoulder, and Morris is still recovering from a broken hand. The other three players are all recovering from foot injuries.
Offensive tackle Johnny Culbreath will be a game-time decision. He left practice on Monday due to an "illness issue."