ALLEN PARK -- Even though the Lions have a nearly critical shortage at linebacker since they lost Jordon Dizon for the season, they do not want to rush DeAndre Levy to return from his back injury.

Levy practiced on Monday, was held out Tuesday morning and was expected to practice on Tuesday afternoon.

“He’s feeling good, we actually held him back. He was ready to go back in,’’ coach Jim Schwartz said after Tuesday's morning session.

It’s too early to tell if Levy will be ready for Saturday’s game at Denver.

“I feel like I’m real close. I just want to take it easy and not rush back into it, I want to be smart about it,’’ Levy said.

Dizon had started the preseason game at middle linebacker in place of Levy. With both of them out, Vinny Ciurciu is taking reps with starters Julian Peterson and Zack Follett.

(Follow me on Twitter @paulapasche.)