Here’s the 53-man roster (as of now):

Offense 

Quarterbacks (3) — Matthew Stafford, Shaun Hill, Kellen Moore

Wide receivers (6) — Calvin Johnson, Nate Burleson, Ryan Broyles, Patrick Edwards, Kris Durham, Micheal Spurlock

Tight ends (3) — Brandon Pettigrew, Tony Scheffler, Joe Fauria. 

Running backs (5) — Reggie Bush, Joique Bell, Mikel Leshoure, Theo Riddick, Montell Owens

Offensive line (9) — LT Riley Reiff, LG Rob Sims, C Dominic Raiola, RG Larry Warford, RT Jason Fox, G-C Dylan Gandy, T LaAdrian Waddle, T Corey Hilliard, G Leroy Harris

Defense 

Line (9) —DT  Ndamukong Suh, DT Nick Fairley, RDE Ziggy Ansah,  LDE Jason Jones, DE Willie Young, DT C.J. Mosley, DE Israel Idonije, DE Devin Taylor, DT Justin Bannan

Linebackers (6) — MLB Stephen Tulloch, OLB DeAndre Levy, OLB Ashlee Palmer,  MLB Tahir Whitehead, OLB Travis Lewis, Rocky McIntosh.

Defensive backs (9) — S Louis Delmas, S Glover Quin, CB Chris Houston, CB Darius Slay, N Bill Bentley, CB Jonte Green, CB/N/S Rashean Mathis, S Don Carey, S John Wendling.

Special teams (3)

Kicker David Akers

Punter Sam Martin

Long snapper Don Muhlbach

Also, TE Michael Williams placed on injured reserve.

The Lions have started the cuts to get down to the 53-man roster.

So far no surprises.

Released so far: CB Chris Greenwood, WR Corey Fuller, LB Brandon Hepburn, LB Jon Morgan, OL Darren Keyton and OL Kevin Haslam. 

Safety Martavius Neloms was waived-injured.

Greenwood, a fifth-round pick in 2012 missed his entire rookie season with an abdominal injury, also missed the first two weeks of training camp with a hamstring. He played in the last two preseason games and got beat on a 79-yard pass play by the Bills on Thursday night.

He’s a candidate for the practice squad which is the best thing that could happen to him. Greenwood, a local kid, played at Detroit King and Albion.

It’s the same with Fuller, a sixth-round pick this year. He’s got speed, but only played two years of college football after making the switch from being a track athlete. Raw is the best way to describe him. If he clears waivers the practice squad should be good for him.

Hepburn, the super-smart seventh-round draft pick, is also a practice squad candidate along with Morgan and Keyton, both undrafted rookie free agents.

Players must clear waivers before being signed to the eight-man practice squad. Once they’re on the practice squad they can be signed by any other NFL team.

The deadline is 6 p.m. today to get down to the 53-man roster.

Even then, that won’t necessarily be the roster for the first game. Lions will look at players who have been cut from other teams.

(Follow @PaulaPasche on Twitter. Order her book,  “100 Things Lions Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die’’ here. It’s also available at bookstores.)

The stronger the NFL roster, the tougher it is to whittle it down to 53 men.

That hasn’t always been a problem for the Detroit Lions. 

Saturday, though, they will say good-bye to several talented players as they cut the roster from 75 to 53 before the 6 p.m. Saturday deadline.

Futures hang in the balance, it’s just not an easy chore to cut 22 players who have worked so hard to get this far.

This is my projected roster based on watching practice at training camp, talking to coaches and analyzing the preseason games including the 35-13 win at Buffalo on Thursday.

Either running back Montell Owens, who has a knee injury, or tight end Michael Williams, who has a broken hand, could be a candidate for the one short-term injured reserve spot. That would open an additional roster spot for six weeks.

Keep in mind, the roster is also determined by special teams contributors.

Here is my projected 53-man roster:

Offense (25)

Quarterbacks (3) — Matthew Stafford, Shaun Hill, Kellen Moore

Why: Moore could have been a candidate for the practice squad, but he’s played his way back onto the roster in the last two games with strong performances.

Wide receivers (4) — Calvin Johnson, Nate Burleson, Ryan Broyles, Patrick Edwards.

Why: Matt Willis, Micheal Spurlock and Kris Durham were also strong considerations. If they go five deep at this position one of them will be No. 5. Rookie Corey Fuller is a practice squad candidate.

Tight ends (4) — Brandon Pettigrew, Tony Scheffler, Joe Fauria, Michael Williams 

Why: Only four wide receivers needed with Scheffler and Fauria available. Fauria, undrafted out of UCLA, is a huge target at 6-foot-7. Neither he or Williams would clear waivers to land on practice squad.

Running backs (5) — Reggie Bush, Joique Bell, Mikel Leshoure, Theo Riddick, Montell Owens

Why: Steven Miller had a good game in Buffalo. This was a close call. He is a practice squad candidate. Owens is needed for special teams. Even though the Lions don’t play a traditional fullback set, Shaun Chapas might have had a chance here.

Offensive line (9) — LT Riley Reiff, LG Rob Sims, C Dominic Raiola, RG Larry Warford, RT Jason Fox, G-C Dylan Gandy, T LaAdrian Waddle, T Corey Hilliard, G Leroy Harris

Why: Waddle has been a force through the preseason and eventually will play tackle. Jake Scott and Rodney Austin close calls.

Defense (25)

Line (9) —DT  Ndamukong Suh, DT Nick Fairley, RDE Ziggy Ansah,  LDE Jason Jones, DE Willie Young, DT C.J. Mosley, DE Israel Idonije, DE Devin Taylor, DT Justin Bannan

Why: No real surprises here. Veteran Andre Fluellen won’t make the cut along with Ogemdi Nwagbuo, Jimmy Saddler-McQueen and Xavier Proctor.

Linebackers (6) — MLB Stephen Tulloch, OLB DeAndre Levy, OLB Ashlee Palmer,  MLB Tahir Whitehead, OLB Travis Lewis,  Chris White

Why: White was just brought in via trade with Buffalo due to his special teams play. Randy McIntosh played well, but his age (30) may be a factor giving edge to Lewis and Whitehead. Brandon Hepburn and Jon Morgan could land on practice squad. 

Defensive backs (10) — S Louis Delmas, S Glover Quin, CB Chris Houston, CB Darius Slay, N Bill Bentley, CB Jonte Green, CB/N/S Rashean Mathis, S Don Carey, S Tyrell Johnson, S John Wendling.

Why: Very tough call here. CB Ron Bartell was the starter at corner just weeks ago and now he could be a victim of numbers. With Delmas’ precarious knee, safety depth is an issue. Amari Spievey just didn’t have a good camp. Chris Greenwood needs a season to develop on the practice squad.

Special teams (3)

Kicker David Akers

Punter Sam Martin

Long snapper Don Muhlbach

Why: Martin beat Blake Clingan at the punter position. Havard “Kickalicious” Rugland was cut earlier in the week.

(Follow @PaulaPasche on Twitter. Order her book,  “100 Things Lions Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die’’ here. It’s also available at bookstores.)

Five things we learned from the Lions 35-13 preseason win at Buffalo on Thursday night. Remember the roster must be cut from 75 to 53 by 6 p.m. on Saturday:

1. Patrick Edwards may or may not be the fourth wide receiver. Thought he had it sewn up, but he was targeted six times and only caught three. He clearly dropped a pass from Matthew Stafford and was overthrown on two. If not Edwards would it be Matt Willis or Kris Durham. Tough decisions to be made at wide receiver after the locks at one through three.

2. Looks like rookie Larry Warford will be the starting right guard. He got the start in Buffalo and was still in the game through the fourth quarter. He needs the experience. Might be reading too much into his start Thursday, but he has been in the mix throughout camp.

3. Undrafted rookie tight end Joe Fauria is such a tall target at 6-foot-7 it’s almost impossible for defensive backs to cover him. He’s got good hands (he had a dozen touchdown catches at UCLA last year) and has improved his blocking. He’s got to make the 53 because they don’t want to lose him and he’d never clear waivers to get on the practice squad.

4. Willie Young has a reputation of being a good practice player but then can’t take his game onto the field. That was not the case Thursday night when he had two sacks, the Lions’ only sacks of the game. He was in Jim Schwartz’s doghouse after a taunting penalty last week, but he should be back in his good graces after this effort.

5. Funny, when third quarterback Kellen Moore takes control of the offense all of a sudden arm strength is not an issue. Moore played three quarters. Threw a pair of touchdown passes and had one interception on a tipped ball. This backs up a good half against the Patriots a week ago. He was kept on the 53-man roster as a rookie and it’s likely he’ll return. He would never clear waivers to get on the practice squad. While some NFL teams keep just two quarterbacks, general manager Martin Mayhew has always kept three. If Moore continues this development perhaps in the long run, he could become the Lions’ No. 2 QB.

(Follow @PaulaPasche on Twitter. Order her book,  “100 Things Lions Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die’’ here. It’s also available at bookstores.)

Jobs will be won or lost during the Detroit Lions’ final preseason game at Buffalo on Thursday night.

Still, there are starting jobs that have not been settled including right tackle and right guard. Jason Fox seems to get the most practice reps at right tackle while right guard looks to be a toss-up between Jake Scott, rookie Larry Warford, Dylan Gandy and Leroy Harris.

Depth players will be key in this contest since starters aren’t expected to get much playing time. Remember, usually the players on the field at the end of the fourth quarter don’t have much of a chance to make the 53-man roster. 

Here are five players to watch:

1. Cornerback Ron Bartell.  Early on he seemed to have the edge on possibly earning the starting spot opposite Chris Houston. Through minicamp and the start of training camp, he was lining up with the first-team defense. Rookie Darius Slay worked his way up to work with the starters. Now it seems like Bartell could be out of the picture completely unless the Lions decide it would be good to have his veteran presence.

2. Cornerback Chris Greenwood. Last week he played his first game of any sort since he was drafted in 2012. He was on injured reserve for his rookie season. If he can get up to speed on special teams he has chance of making the 53-man roster. If not, he’s a candidate for the practice squad.

3. Wide receiver Kris Durham. He hasn’t gotten many reps, but has had a few outstanding plays in camp especially in the red zone.  Durham was on the practice squad last season and then played the final four games with eight catches for 125 yards and a touchdown. He played with Matthew Stafford at Georgia so they have a connection. With Calvin Johnson sitting with a bruised knee and Terrence Austin’s release, Durham seemed to be getting more work at Tuesday’s practice.

4. Defensive end Willie Young. He has to have a clean game (no stupid penalties) or he could be gone. Understandably coach Jim Schwartz was not pleased with Young’s penalty for taunting Patriots quarterback Tom Brady last week.

5. Safety Amari Spievey (in photo). He has not had a great camp and could be on his way out. He was a third-round pick in the 2010 draft and then converted from cornerback to safety.

(Follow @PaulaPasche on Twitter. Order her book,  “100 Things Lions Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die’’ here. It’s also available at bookstores.)

Here's the replay of the Lions' live chat that started just four hours before the kickoff of their final preseason game on the road at Buffalo. Lots of good questions about roster decisions and more comments than I expected about Corey Fuller and Patrick Edwards. Will have another chat at 3 p.m. next Thursday looking at the first regular season game -- finally!! Check out chat from today ...

While the spotlight has been on the offensive line and the wide receivers, there’s been strong competition among the tight ends during Detroit Lions training camp too.

Veterans Brandon Pettigrew and Tony Scheffler return and each is in his final contract year. 

Pettigrew is coming off a season where he dropped eight passes. He also fumbled four times, losing two.

Scheffler’s production was down in 2012 but that wasn’t entirely his fault.

Will Heller, known primarily for his blocking was not brought back.

So there was at least one opening. The Lions drafted Michael Williams (6-foot-6, 270) in the seventh round out of Alabama. His strength was blocking but he had caught a few passes too.

Then they signed undrafted 6-foot-7 rookie free agent Joe Fauria who had played many receiver positions at UCLA, but had not played tight end. He called himself an eight-h-round draft pick and was motivated as any undrafted player is - maybe more. Biggest of his height and ability to catch balls, he's a red zone threat.

So there you go.

Along the way, they signed others including Matt Veldman and Cameron Morrah who were cut on Tuesday.

So now we’re at four.

The Lions’ decision may be put on hold because Williams has a broken right hand, suffered in the win over the Patriots, that will sideline him for at least a few weeks. There’s a possibility he could be the one who will be placed on short-term injured reserve to start the season.

If he’s not, the Lions could keep four tight ends, there’s no rule that says they must keep three.

That’s my guess. Williams and Fauria both qualify for the practice squad but first they would have to clear waivers and neither one would.

(Follow @PaulaPasche on Twitter. Order her book,  “100 Things Lions Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die’’ here. It’s also available at bookstores.)

ALLEN PARK — Havard Rugland, the Norwegian kicker better known as Kickalicious, has been cut by the Detroit Lions.

It’s not a surprise.

Rugland, who was signed by the Lions as a free agent, had never played in a football game at any level. He had never worn a football helmet until the first day of rookie camp in May.

Yet according to coach Jim Schwartz he passed each test along the way.

In his first game — a preseason win over the New York Jets — Rugland kicked field goals of 49 and 50 yards. His excitement and enthusiasm was contagious, the whole team was behind him.

Rugland gained worldwide attention with a four-minute YouTube video showing him kicking a football into a garbage can, through a basketball hoop, into a moving boat and more.

He spent months in the United States working with retired kicker Michael Husted.

His release does not necessarily mean his NFL dream is dead. Other teams will probably take a look and if a kicker goes down, he could get the call. 

David Akers was the kicker signed to replace Jason Hanson. Rugland was signed in part because he too was a left-footed kicker.  

The Lions also released cornerback DeQuan Menzie.

They have three more cuts to make before 4 p.m. today (Tuesday) to get the roster down to 75.

(Follow @PaulaPasche on Twitter. Order her book,  “100 Things Lions Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die’’ here. It’s also available at bookstores.)

It’s been clear throughout training camp that Kellen Moore will be the third quarterback for the second straight season.

That was confirmed on Sunday when the Lions traded Thaddeus Lewis, who they had picked up on waivers, to the Bills for linebacker Chris White.

Lewis completed six of eight pass attempts in preseason action for 60 yards.

In Thursday’s win over the New England Patriots, Moore was nine of 12 for 150 yards, two touchdowns and a 156.2 quarterback rating. (158.2 is perfect.)

Moore was an undrafted free agent in 2012 out of Boise State. He does not have the arm strength to match Matthew Stafford — few do — but he knows the offense and his limitations. 

With Montell Owens out at least briefly with an injured knee, White can provide help for the Lions on special teams.

White had been a third-string middle linebacker who made the 2012 roster because of special teams per Joe Buscaglia of WGR550.com in Buffalo.

The Bills have confirmed the trade while the Lions have not.

(Follow @PaulaPasche on Twitter. Order her book,  “100 Things Lions Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die’’ here. It’s also available at bookstores.)

ALLEN PARK — The Lions cut four players today (Sunday) to get the roster down to 80. It must be at 75 on Tuesday.

Released were defensive end Ronnell Lewis, wide receiver Cody Wilson, safety Chris Hope and cornerback Myron Lewis.

None of the cuts is a big surprise.

Ronnell Lewis was a fourth-round pick out of Oklahoma in 2012. The plan was to use him mostly on special teams his rookie season. But he didn’t contribute enough so he was inactive the final seven games.

This year the Lions went after taller defensive ends. Lewis is just 6-foot-2 while Ziggy Ansah and Jason Jones are 6-foot-5.

Lewis injured himself during the conditioning tests for training camp and sat out the first few weeks with an undisclosed injury. He was the only member of the Lions that got in trouble with the law in the offseason. After a bar fight in Oklahoma the police had to Taser him twice to bring him down.

Wilson, an undrafted rookie who played at Rochester Adams and Central Michigan, was very much a long-shot in the wide receiver race with more experienced guys like Matt Willis and Patrick Edwards. Wilson, whose dad Dave is the team chaplain, caught nearly every ball thrown his way. He’s a possibility for the practice squad.

Myron Lewis was looking for a fresh start after joining the Lions midway through camp.

Hope’s days were numbered when the Lions signed Rashean Mathis who can play nickel, corner and safety.

This means the Lions are down to two Lewises — Travis and Thaddeus.

The roster must be cut down to 53 on Saturday.

(Follow @PaulaPasche on Twitter. Order her book,  “100 Things Lions Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die’’ here. It’s also available at bookstores.)

The Lions started the process of whittling down the roster by cutting five players on Friday.

DT John Drew and CB Ross Weaver (Michigan State) were waived injured. 

Drew practiced one day with the Lions after he signed a week ago and tweaked his hamstring. Neither one played in Thursday’s win over the Patriots.

Also gone: CB Domonique Johnson, G Derek Hardman and WR Chaz Schilens.

 Nothing surprising about these cuts.

Johnson did not play on Thursday.

Hardman (in photo), who spent the last three seasons with the Tampa Bay Bucs, was in for 15 snaps against the Patriots. With the emergence of rookie Larry Warford who could start at right guard, the Lions have enough depth at the position.

Schilens, who had 28 catches and a pair of touchdowns for the Jets last season, was signed just before training camp. He fit in immediately, but faded as camp continued. He was on the field for 14 snaps on Thursday night, but he had zero receptions in the first three preseason games.

That leaves 85 on the Lions’ roster. They must be down to 75 on Tuesday. Then down to the final 53 on Saturday, Aug. 31.

(Follow @PaulaPasche on Twitter. Order her book,  “100 Things Lions Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die’’ here. It’s also available at bookstores.)

DETROIT — Perhaps it’s a sign of maturation that the Lions weren’t hooting and hollering after their 40-9 shellacking of the New England Patriots on Thursday night. 

Perhaps they know they have much work to do.

And, after all it is the preseason.

Here are five things we learned:

1. They missed Calvin Johnson again. His presence changes the way defenses play. It also gives them opportunities that no one else does. Jim Schwartz said it was a last-minute decision. Better to get him to 100 percent for the regular season because they will need him.

2. Reggie Bush is a slippery guy. Just when you think he’s done he picks up a few more yards. He had five catches for 103 yards including a 67-yarder that he wanted to take all the way in. It’s like he’s the No. 2 receiver but he isn’t. Another dimension to the offense.

3. If the defensive line can dominate like it did in the first half, this should be fun to watch. In the first quarter the defense forced four turnovers — that’s against Tom Brady and the Patriots. Not a bad night’s work. They also pressured Brady who didn’t throw for a touchdown, although he did pass for 185 yards.

4. The secondary has to tighten up a bit. Brady threw four passes for 19 yards o more. Although on a 20-yard completion Glover Quin forced a fumble and Louis Delmas recovered it. Rookie Darius Slay started giving us a look at the potential starting secondary for the regular season opener — Slay, Chris Houston (who intercepted Brady), Delmas and Quin.

5. The personal fouls have to be reduced or eliminated. Nick Fairley was whistled on the second snap for illegal use of hands. He was playing hard so you can almost forgive that but seven snaps later he gets called for unsportsmanlike conduct. A few series later C.J. Mosley is penalized for a personal foul. So when Willie Young taunted Tom Brady after an incompletion (what was he thinking?), Schwartz had all he could take. That was Young’s last snap.

(Follow @PaulaPasche on Twitter. Order her book,  “100 Things Lions Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die’’ here. It’s also available at bookstores.)

DETROIT — Calvin Johnson is out and Louis Delmas is in for the Detroit Lions against the Patriots at Ford Field in the third preseason game.

Also two rookies earned the start — Darius Slay at cornerback and Larry Warford at right guard.

Johnson missed his second straight preseason game after being  held out of practice with a bruised knee this week. He said on Tuesday he planned to play. 

Delmas, who has practiced sporadically, missed the first two preseason games.

Delmas, who is dealing with a bad left knee, said on Monday his goal was to play. He said he’s on schedule to play in the regular season opener on Sept. 8, but he wanted to get in at least a few series in the preseason specifically against the Patriots.

Also out was Shaun Hill, who missed practice this week. He was on the field for pre-game warm-ups but did not throw to receivers running routes.

Also inactive were Ross Weaver, John Drew, Montell Owens and Matt Veldman.

The Lions wrap up the preseason next Thursday, Aug. 29, at Buffalo.

(Follow @PaulaPasche on Twitter. Order her book,  “100 Things Lions Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die’’ here. It’s also available at bookstores.)

It’s the dress rehearsal game as the Lions host the New England Patriots Thursday in the third preseason game for both teams. Kickoff is 7:30 p.m. at Ford Field.

The starters are expected to see about a half of play.

Here are five positions to keep an eye on:

1. Right tackle. Jason Fox has been getting most of the reps in practice with the first team. He started against the Jets and seems to have the edge in earning the starting role there. Corey Hilliard not out of the mix, but expect Fox to start and watch both closely.

2. Nickelback. Bill Bentley had been working the position with the first team all through camp until cornerback Rashean Mathis took reps there on Tuesday. Mathis, a 10-year NFL veteran, has played nickel for the Jaguars. Bentley struggled big-time in the first preseason game and seemed to settle down a bit against the Browns. The addition of Mathis heats up the position battle.

3. Right guard. In recent days Dylan Gandy has started practice here and rookie Larry Warford has also gotten snaps with the first team. Jake Scott, who started against the Browns, is in the mix too.

4. Wide receiver. Still looking to fill the fourth and fifth spots. Patrick Edwards seems to have the edge but wouldn’t hand him the job just yet. Matt Willis a strong competitor along with Terrence Austin. There’s a chance the Lions could keep just four wide receivers and expand the tight end count from three to four which brings us to ...

5. Tight end. Joe Fauria has improved his blocking skills which puts him in the mix. His height (6-foot-7) could make him a red zone threat. Michael Williams excels at blocking but can catch the ball. If both have a good showing against the Patriots, they could make the 53-man roster. Don’t think either one would clear waivers to join the practice squad.

Note: The game is a sell-out so it will air live on WXYZ-TV Channel 7 in the Detroit area.

(Follow @PaulaPasche on Twitter. Order her book,  “100 Things Lions Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die’’ here. It’s also available at bookstores.)

If you missed the live chat, check out the replay. We talked about position battles, depth and what to expect in the third preseason game against the Patriots tonight at Ford Field. Next chat at 3 p.m. Thursday (Aug. 29). It's a fun thing ...

The addition of veteran cornerback Rashean Mathis could have a trickle-down effect in the Detroit Lions’ secondary which is still a work in progress.

Mathis, who was signed on Saturday, has fit in quickly. On Tuesday he took some snaps with the first team at nickelback.

“I know football,’’ Mathis said. “Inside there you just have to know the scheme of the defense, know the weaknesses and every now and then don’t be scared to stick your face in the fan.’’

Great line and spoken like a 10-year NFL veteran, to be sure.

“We value versatility. He’s a very experienced player and a very savvy player,’’ coach Jim Schwartz said. “It showed in his ability to pick things up quickly and be able to get him on the field. We haven’t had a lot of time to evaluate him physically. Some of those new guys that we have signed we have to get them ready to play this week and get a good look at them. Therefore we have been trying to get them some more reps during practice.”

In his 10-year career  with the Jacksonville Jaguars, Mathis has played safety, cornerback and nickel.

“Having that under my belt definitely helps coming into a system like this when you’re asked to do a lot of things,’’ Mathis said.

The Jaguars did not offer him a contract for this season.

Bill Bentley has played in the slot with the first team since camp started. Mathis’ addition doesn’t mean he will lose that spot, but he’s got more serious competition now.

Rookie Darius Slay has continued to work with the first team defense this week at cornerback. Previously veteran Ron Bartell had been with the starters.

Slay needs to show his stuff on Thursday against Tom Brady and the New England Patriots.

“Well we will see what happens in week three.,’’ Schwartz said. “He needs to take a jump this week. He’s going to have an opportunity to get more reps against some pretty good competition. A top-notch quarterback and a very good passing offense. It’s a very important week for him.”

(Follow @PaulaPasche on Twitter. Order her book,  “100 Things Lions Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die’’ here. It’s also available at bookstores.)

Mike Thomas, who never seemed to fit in with the Detroit Lions, was cut on Monday. 

Thomas had practiced all through training camp, but had not been a standout at all. 

The move is not surprising. In the battle for the fourth and fifth wide receiver spots, the 26-year-old Thomas was not even in the conversation.

In the preseason opening win over the Jets, Thomas was in the game for 22 snaps with zero receptions. In last Thursday’s loss at Cleveland, he was in for just eight snaps with no catches. He didn’t play on special teams in either game.

The Lions acquired the wide receiver on Nov. 1, 2012, in a trade with Jacksonville that cost Detroit a fifth-round draft pick in 2014. He is still guaranteed $1 million for this season.

Injuries to Nate Burleson and Ryan Broyles and the absence of Titus Young had depleted the wide receivers’ group when the trade was made.

In five games with the Lions in 2012, he had 3 receptions for 11 yards and four rushes for 38 yards.

(Follow @PaulaPasche on Twitter. Order her book,  “100 Things Lions Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die’’ here. It’s also available at bookstores.)

It’s been two years since we lost our friend Tom “KIller” Kowalski.

His memory lives on through the Tom Kowalski Foundation which funds his favorite charities including Team Joseph and Our Children’s Fund of West Bloomfield.

The second annual Killer Cares golf outing on Monday was sold-out. The corresponding live auction is up and running through Sept. 3.

Auction items include dinner with Jim Leyland and Gene Lamont; tickets for Michigan-Notre Dame football including tailgate party; golf with Frank Nobilo at Lake Nona Country Club and much more.

For complete list and to bid on items click here

For more information see KillerCares.org.

Another day, another new player.

The Detroit Lions have signed offensive tackle Kevin Haslam. To make room on the roster they released OT Austin Holtz.

Haslam spent last season with the San Diego Chargers playing in five games with three starts. He was released on May 21. He was claimed off waivers on May 23 by the New England Patriots who released him on Thursday.

He was originally signed as an undrafted free agent by the Jacksonville Jaguars following the 2010 draft. He played in five games as a rookie before he was put on injured reserve.

The Lions have an opening at right tackle with a battle between Jason Fox and Corey HIlliard for the start.

Coming off  a 26-4 preseason loss, the Lions are preparing to play the Patriots on Thursday night at Ford Field.

(Follow @PaulaPasche on Twitter. Order her book,  “100 Things Lions Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die’’ here. It’s also available at bookstores.)

Linebacker Rocky McIntosh has been signed by the Detroit Lions.

Expect McIntosh, who played in 2012 with the St. Louis Rams, to serve as a backup and see plenty of time on special teams. He started nine games last year and played in all 16.

McIntosh spent the first six seasons of his NFL career with the Washington Redskins after they drafted him in the second round in 2006 out of Miami. From 2007-2010 he was a starter.

Ashlee Palmer is likely to start alongside Stephen Tulloch and DeAndre Levy.

McIntosh was the third defensive signing in two days. On Friday the Lions signed two defensive tackles — John Drew and Justin Bannon.

The Lions released Adrian Moten to create room on the 90-man roster.

Following the 24-6 preseason loss on Thursday at Cleveland, the Lions return to the practice field today. They play the New England Patriots on Thursday at Ford Field.

(Follow @PaulaPasche on Twitter. Order her book,  “100 Things Lions Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die’’ here. It’s also available at bookstores.)

Here are five things we learned from the Lions’ 24-6 preseason loss to the Cleveland Browns on Thursday night. 

1. Reggie Bush was the highlight on offense with five catches and eight rushes. With Calvin Johnson sidelined as a precaution with a knee bruise, this is not the offense we’ll normally see. But it gave Bush a chance to get a little more comfortable in the offense. He and Stafford have to develop a rapport and Thursday night was a good chance to develop that. Bush was called for a personal foul. Even though he got caught retaliating, it was still inexcusable.

2. The secondary needs to work on tackling. Thought they had too many missed tackles in the first preseason game — a win over the Jets. But they had more in Cleveland. This should be a problem that is fixable. Yes, the defense was playing without safety Louis Delmas but that is no excuse.

3. It looked like there might have been a lack of communication between the linebackers and safeties. If so, it’s another correctable problem. But it must be fixed.

4. The offense has scored just one touchdown in the first two games — a Shaun Hill pass to Matt Willis in win over the Jets. This is not good, of course. But wouldn’t be too concerned just yet. More than touchdowns, Matthew Stafford needs to keep the guys on the field by making first downs. He said that the problem at Cleveland was two-fold — the offense couldn’t stay on the field (their first three possessions were three-and-outs) and they had a lack of explosive plays. Wide receivers Matt Willis and Terrence Austin had good games playing with Shaun Hill.

5. The defensive line is all of that. Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairley played really well if you don’t count Suh’s personal foul for roughing the passer. Ziggy Ansah started at right defensive end and Jason Jones was on the left side. a good game by both — no flashy plays like in week one.

(Follow @PaulaPasche on Twitter. Order her book,  “100 Things Lions Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die’’ here. It’s also available at bookstores.)