Jeff Backus, the Lions’ ironman left tackle, is expected to be ready for training camp after undergoing surgery at the end of the season. The veteran, who could become an unrestricted free agent, tore a biceps muscle in the playoff game at New Orleans.

“He has been recovering incredibly well. It was a longer term recovery but fortunately that longer term involved the offseason,’’ team president Tom Lewand said in a conference call with season ticket holders.

“We feel he’s a guy who can be healthy in time for training camp and certainly he’s a guy who is somebody we’ve had discussions about him returning.’’

Backus was drafted in the first round in 2001 out of Michigan (18th overall) and has never missed a game or a start which puts him at 176 straight.

“Jeff has been a warrior for us his entire career, he holds the marks for us for consecutive starts and now that we’ve got things going we’d like Jeff to be a part of some of these successes,’’ Lewand said.

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