Three quick Lions notes from practice today. First, the team released kick returner Eddie Drummond. A Pro Bowler in 2004, Drummond's release was not a huge surprise since he was limited as a receiver and Lions coach Rod Marinelli has said all preseason he wants flexibility out of the final 10 players on his roster. In two exhibition games, Drummond had no catches and was averaging a modest 6.5 yards on punt returns and 19 yards on kick returns. Troy Walters, Aveion Cason and Kevin Kasper are candidates to handles returns now that Drummond's gone.

Second, quarterback Jon Kitna did not practice again today, but he said he expects to play Saturday against Indianapolis. Kitna has missed the last 2 1/2 days with back spasms. He threw on the side for about five minutes today and came away pain free.

Finally, linebacker Paris Lenon hobbled off the field after banging knees in an 11-on-11 drill with safety Kenoy Kennedy. The injury looked serious at first as Lenon lay on the ground wriggling in pain. As underappreciated as the former mail sorter is, the Lions cannot afford to lose Lenon, their starting middle linebacker, for any period of time. Defensive coordinator Joe Barry said Lenon was fine after practice and will play Saturday.