While nothing is set in stone, expect Stephen Tulloch, DeAndre Levy and Justin Durant to start at linebacker.

That leaves an interesting mix for backups. Here are three backup linebackers to keep an eye on.

1. Doug Hogue is entering his second year as a bigger and wiser player. He actually grew nearly an inch and gained 15 pounds. And in his rookie season he was thrown right into training camp because there was no offseason due to the NFL lockout. He learned on the fly and feels more comfortable now and it shows.

2. Rookie Tahir Whitehead, a fifth-round pick out of Temple, has made an early impression. If he can play special teams and there’s no reason to doubt that he can, he’ll make the 53-man roster without a problem.

3. Ashlee Palmer has been working at middle linebacker in the offseason. He played there once last season — against the Giants — when there was a lack of healthy bodies. He’s solid on special teams. Can’t imagine they would let him go. Rookie Travis Lewis could be the odd man out unless they keep seven linebackers. Lewis could be assigned to the practice squad.

(Follow @PaulaPasche on Twitter. To pre-order her upcoming book, click here: “100 Things Lions Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die.”)

ALLEN PARK — Running back Jahvid Best had a little trouble getting into the Lions facility Tuesday morning. He pulled his black Cadillac CTS up to the gate to enter the player parking lot, but had forgotten the code.

No problem. He just used the front door.

Best was one of several Lions to get to the Lions practice facility when players were allowed back after 10 a.m. Matthew Stafford was a few minutes early and the first to arrive. He was followed by Cliff Avril, Kyle Vanden Bosch, Jeff Backus and Ashlee Palmer.

Best said he wasn’t sure what to expect on Tuesday.

“I have no idea, that’s why I’m here right now, get a schedule and get mentally prepared and see what happens,’’ Best said.

Most of last season — his rookie year — he was hobbled by turf toe. Rest was the best medicine

“I’m 100 percent and ready to go,’’ said Best whose toes looked fine in his flip-flops.

“I feel the same, doing everything I’ve been doing, I’m ready for everything,’’ he added.

Best didn’t wait until the deal was done to get into town. The players voted to approve the collective bargaining agreement on Monday afternoon.

“I was here Monday, I just had a feeling,’’ Best said.

Stafford and Vanden Bosch will speak at a press conference which is set to start at 11:45 a.m. Come back here for full details.

(Follow me on Twitter @PaulaPasche.)

INDIANAPOLIS -- Outside linebacker is considered a position of need for the Detroit Lions who will release Julian Peterson and are unsure if Zack Follett will return following his spinal injury last season.

However, Lions general manager Martin Mayhew said this morning (Friday) that Bobby Carpenter and Ashlee Palmer will compete this season to start at outside linebacker.

Carpenter joined the Lions midway through last season when the linebacking corps was depleted by injury.

“Guys like Bobby Carpenter, Ashlee Palmer, John Wendling, down the stretch those guys made a huge impact for us. I thought Bobby did an outstanding job, he came in, he learned our system, he knew all the spots, he knew all the special teams stuff and he made plays for us on the field,’’ Mayhew said. “He made a couple big plays on the passing game on third downs for us, we were happy with his performance we thought he did a good job.

“I see him certainly as a guy who competes for a starting job at outside linebacker for us, I see Ashlee the same way. Both those guys have played well enough and there’s enough good tape ofd those guys playing in our system to say those guys can be starters,’’ Mayhew added.

Palmer got off to a slow start last season, his first with the Lions. But improved as the season went on and his playing time increased due to injuries.

“Coming from Buffalo last year, having to learn a new system, (Palmer) is still a young player, so I think it was sort of picking up our scheme, knowing his job, performing at a consistent level,’’ Mayhew said. “He was also playing a lot of special teams and defense at the same time. That’s always tough for a young player. He had a good season for us though, for a young guy, and his arrow is still going up.’’

Follett is still a question mark. He continues rehab. Mayhew said they are taking “a wait and see approach” and it’s out of their hands. It will be more a decision for Follett and he has not made it yet.

Immediately after the season, Mayhew said Peterson would not be with the team this coming season. He reiterated that on Friday, but said Peterson has yet to be released.

(Check back this afternoon for more from Mayhew’s breakfast on Friday morning with the Lions beat writers. Also check out a live chat from the Combine at noon on TheOaklandPress.com. Follow me on Twitter @PaulaPasche.)