ALLEN PARK — Even though Matthew Stafford and Calvin Johnson both played in the Thanksgiving Day loss to Green Bay, it was clearly evident neither one was completely healthy. Stafford was playing with one arm due to his separated left shoulder and Johnson had knee and hand issues.

In fact, it’s been a while since both were on the field while both were anywhere near completely healthy. It goes back to the Oct. 4 game at Chicago when Stafford injured his knee late in the game and missed the next two. Johnson injured his knee the next week against Pittsburgh. Both have played the last four games but clearly they have not been at full-speed. Johnson still has a wrap on his left hand, but that shouldn’t impede his explosiveness.

Stafford and Johnson are back on the practice field this week and hope to bring the results to the field on Sunday at Cincinnati.

“We’re going to go out there and fly around. We’re working hard this week to make sure our execution goes right, goes according to plan,’’ Johnson said. “We’ve got a couple more days of practice here. Not looking too far ahead, we really want to get a good day in (Thursday) our third-down day. That’s got to be a nice crisp day. And we’ve got to have a good day on Friday. Not to look too far ahead, but on Sunday but it has to start right now to have some good practices in order to execute on Sunday.’’
— PAULA PASCHE