Every day during training camp, Lions beat writer Dave Birkett takes you inside practice at Allen Park with notes, quotes and observations of interest.

• The Lions worked out in shells this afternoon, their last full practice before Sunday's second preseason game at Cincinnati. Safety Daniel Bullocks, tight end Dan Campbell and kicker Jason Hanson will not play against the Bengals, and the availability of receiver Shaun McDonald and fullback Jon Bradley is to be determined.

• Hanson, who has a strained left hip flexor, wore pads and did some light running Friday but did not kick. As valuable as he is, there's no reason to rush him back at this point. The Lions would be wise to give Dave Rayner most of the work next week, too. First cuts from 80 to 75 players aren't until Aug. 26, two days before the exhibition finale.

• Lions coach Rod Marinelli said his starters can expect to play around 20 plays Sunday, but nothing will be set in stone until tomorrow's walk-through. You might see the offensive line play a bit more together as that group needs all the work it can get with the new blocking scheme. To that point, left tackle Jeff Backus was in taking extra snaps with the second-team offense and right guard Stephen Peterman ran a few plays alongside Gosder Cherilus on the No. 2 unit in practice Friday.

• Speaking of Cherilus, he's at least a week away from starting (judging by Friday's rotation, at least). There's no way coaches could have elevated him from backup after his three-penalty performance against the Giants, even if he excelled in other areas like the run game. If he turns in a flag-free performance Sunday, the Lions would be wise to name him the starter. That way the first-team offensive line could work together for the remainder of the preseason, including next week's all-important third game.

• Funny sight from practice: Roy Williams, holding six footballs, trying unsuccessfully to catch a seventh. Williams tucked three balls under his left arm and three under his right, and when Keith Smith or Dan Orlovsky tossed a ball high in the air he put one between his legs and tried to catch the seventh with his right hand. That didn't work, but later the playful Williams caught a goof-around punt behind his back from Nick Harris.

• A final football thought for the day: Jordon Dizon covers a ton of field side-to-side. Dizon intercepted a Drew Stanton pass in the final period of team drills with a nice pass drop, but Dizon's strength is flowing horizontally and making plays. If I were the Lions I'd keep him in the middle and move Paris Lenon to the strong side. Lenon can handle a move to SAM at a moment's notice. He's that bright. Dizon would need to move there soon if he's to play the position when the season opens just because of his inexperience. By keeping Dizon in the middle, the Lions can give their future at that position three more weeks of reps, plenty of time for him to find his comfort level in the defense.