http://www.sportsnipe.com Detroit Lions, Team News, Updates, and Stats from all sports sources, updated continually. http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1047256/chat-lions-writer-nicholas-cotsonika-now.html Free Press beat writer Nicholas J. Cotsonika will field your Lions questions at 3 p.m. Friday at freep.com/sports. Detroit Lions - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1047255/jamie-samuelsens-blog-no-league-has-perfected-instant-replay-just-ask-red-wings.html Whether the whistle blew is irrelevant to the play. The puck went in on the initial shot, and if the on-ice officials or the boys back in Toronto were only trying to make sure that they "got the call right", that would have been a goal for Brad May. Detroit Lions - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1047254/browns-cribbs-expected-to-play-vs-lions.html BEREA, Ohio — Cleveland coach Eric Mangini expects returner Josh Cribbs to play when the Browns face the Detroit Lions on Sunday. Detroit Lions - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1047253/lions-stephen-peterman-might-be-lost-for-season.html Detroit Lions right guard Stephen Peterman could be lost for the season with an ankle injury. Detroit Lions - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1047252/lions-guard-stephen-peterman-probably-lost-for-season.html The Lions might lose starting right guard Stephen Peterman to season-ending ankle surgery, coach Jim Schwartz said Friday: "It looks like he's gonna have surgery." Detroit Lions - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1047251/mike-ohara-lions-must-beat-browns-to-salvage-any-credibility.html The Lions have lost big for a decade, but this is a time for them to think big. Big, for the Lions, is the potential to win two straight games and what that would mean to this struggling franchise. Detroit Lions - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1046488/comcast-red-zone-recap-week-10.html This post is sponsored by Comcast's NFL RedZone Channel.  Lions - 1 score on 1 chance (1 touchdown) Once again, the Lions' offense spent very little time in the red zone.  That has been the offense's biggest problem in the last month or so.  They do quite well in the red zone, but they only make it inside the 20 a couple times a game at most it seems like.  Against Minnesota, the Lions' lone red zone trip produced a touchdown on a pass to Will Heller.  At the end of the first half the Lions could have possibly had another trip inside the red zone and got to the 20, but they immediately kicked a field goal, so I'm not going to count that. Vikings - 4 scores on 6 chances (2 touchdowns, 2 field goals, 1 fumble, 1 turnover on downs) The defense was also not much different than it has been this season.  The Vikings had a whopping 6 trips to the red zone, but the Lions only gave up a couple touchdowns.  On top of that, twice Minnesota didn't even score any points.  That was because of a fumble and a failure to gain a yard on fourth down.  The fumble was Adrian Peterson's fault when he lateraled the ball behind Percy Harvin and Sammie Hill ended up with it, but the other time the Vikings were kept off the scoreboard was when the defense made a stand on fourth down.  All in all, I will take only giving up 2 touchdowns on 6 red zone opportunities every time. Overall It seems like I'm beating a dead horse because it's the same thing every week, but I'll say it one more time.  The Lions' offense needs to get into the red zone more often, and defensively, the Lions need to keep their opponents out of the red zone.  The defense's bend but don't break style works quite well when you consider that opposing teams' red zone efficiency based on touchdowns isn't all that great against the Lions, but the fact that teams are consistently getting into the red zone as many as 6 times a game is very concerning. Detroit Lions - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1046487/lions-lewand-comments-on-death-stefanie-spielman.html Detroit Lions president Tom Lewand released a statement on the death of Stefanie Spielman, the wife of former Lions linebacker Chris Spielman. Detroit Lions - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1046486/lions-follett-back-at-practice-others-still-out.html Lions linebacker Zack Follett returned to practice today after sitting out Thursday with a neck injury. Detroit Lions - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1046485/browns-josh-cribbs-expected-to-play-against-lions.html The Browns' receiver and return man, who was carted off the field Monday night, is expected to play Sunday when Cleveland visits the Lions at Ford Field. Detroit Lions - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1044070/ticker-extra-timeout-burns-browns.html Never mind the Red Wings. Keep your eyes on the refs for the Lions-Browns game Sunday, too. The NFL has admitted officials messed up Monday night and gave Cleveland four second-half time-outs against Baltimore. Detroit Lions - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1044069/jim-schwartz-calls-lions-drops-contagious.html Quarterback Matthew Stafford sensed a pass rusher lurking behind him. He stepped forward and fired the ball to the left side of the end zone. Wide receiver Bryant Johnson was all set to catch it and pull the Lions within three points just before halftime Sunday at Minnesota. Detroit Lions - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1044068/lions-k-jason-hanson-baffled-by-missed-fgs.html Lions kicker Jason Hanson had made 20 consecutive field goals, the second-longest streak of his 18-year NFL career. He had made 24 straight from 40 yards or more, an NFL record. Detroit Lions - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1044067/browns-fans-like-stafford-lions-to-win-sunday.html If you think Lions fans have soured on the local team here, take a look at how Browns fans are responding to a series of online questions posted by the Cleveland Plain-Dealer. Detroit Lions - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1044066/lions-lb-larry-foote-striving-to-be-good-soldier.html To the untrained eye, it looked like Lions linebacker Larry Foote excelled in the first six games, then struggled in the next three. The stats supported that. Detroit Lions - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1043870/ricky-williams-carries-dolphins-to-victory.html With Ronnie Brown lost for the season, the Miami Dolphins turned to their aging running back. Ricky Williams showed he's still got it. Detroit Lions - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1043869/john-niyo-coaches-jim-schwartz-eric-mangini-took-similar-paths-to-top-job.html When Schwartz stops to share a laugh before Sunday's game with his Cleveland counterpart, it'll be easy to say it was worth it. Detroit Lions - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1043868/lions-cliff-avril-gets-message-after-benching.html The coach yells because he cares. Avril has to remind himself of that every so often when he hears it from Gunther Cunningham, the Lions' volatile defensive coordinator. Detroit Lions - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1042903/shaun-rogers-on-lions-struggles-quotguess-wasnt-all-mequot.html Detroit Lions - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1042902/dominic-raiola-looking-forward-to-challenging-rogers.html Detroit Lions - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1042901/lions-best-chance-to-win-on-sunday.html This is their chance. If the Lions hope to win another game, they had better beat the Browns on Sunday. They're not going to have a better opportunity the rest of this season. Detroit Lions - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1042900/mangini-schwartz-share-nfl-upbringing.html Both coaches of this week's matchup between Browns and Lions fell out of Belichick coaching tree. Detroit Lions - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1042166/bad-bowl-2009-lions-browns-seeking-win-no-2.html A Cleveland Browns fan held up a sign that read "No Fun Losing" during their latest loss. Anyone rooting for the Detroit Lions who saw the forlorn-looking woman delivering the message surely could relate. The Lions (1-8) have won only once since becoming the first NFL team to have an 0-16 season. If they get upset by Cleveland (1-8) Sunday at home, they will be plunge to another league mark of futility. Detroit Lions - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1042165/chris-spielmans-wife-dies-at-42.html COLUMBUS, Ohio — The wife of former Detroit Lions star Chris Spielman has died after a lengthy battle with cancer. Detroit Lions - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1042164/wife-former-lion-chris-spielman-dies-at-42-after-lengthy-cancer-battle.html Stefanie Spielman worked to raise breast cancer awareness after being diagnosed with the disease. Her husband gave up football for a year to stay home and support her. Detroit Lions - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1040792/lions-switch-practice-time-derrick-williams-returns.html Lions receiver Derrick Williams returned to practice today after sitting out Wednesday with a hip injury. Detroit Lions - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1040117/browns-game-officially-blacked-out.html As expected, Sunday's game between the Lions and Browns has officially been blacked out.  The Lions didn't announce how many tickets are still available, meaning the number probably isn't much different from what we heard yesterday.  With around 7,000 unsold tickets and based on the fact that the attendance for the Rams game was just more than 40,000, I wouldn't expect a very big crowd at Ford Field on Sunday. Like usual, Pride of Detroit will have play-by-play updates in the game threads.  If you are in the blackout zone, your most reliable option to track the game outside of checking out POD is by listening to it on the radio, because whether or not there will be streams is always a guessing game.  POD will do its best to keep track of ways to watch the game, but there are no promises since it is usually hit or miss. Detroit Lions - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1040115/lionsbrowns-capsule.html CLEVELAND (1-8) At DETROIT (1-8) Detroit Lions - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1040114/judge-to-decide-by-monday-on-silverdome.html An Oakland County Circuit Court judge is to decide by Monday whether this week's sale of the Pontiac Silverdome for $583,000 to a Toronto-based developer will go through. Detroit Lions - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1039173/brownslions-game-to-be-blacked-out-in-motor-city.html The Detroit Lions' home game against the Cleveland Browns will be blacked out on local TV. Lions spokesman Bill Keenist confirmed Thursday the team did not sell 7,000-plus tickets that were available the previous day. The game featuring two 1-8 teams will be not be shown on TV in the Detroit, Lansing, Saginaw-Flint and Toledo, Ohio, markets. Detroit Lions - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1039172/lions-game-on-sunday-will-be-blacked-out.html Sunday's game against Cleveland will be blacked out on local television because the Lions did not sell out by today's 1 p.m. deadline. Detroit Lions - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1039171/no-local-tv-for-lionsbrowns.html It's the third blackout in five home games for the Lions this season -- Washington and St. Louis were the others -- and the eighth in the last 11 games dating to last season. Detroit Lions - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1038338/cutler-makes-pitch-for-aromashodu.html Two weeks ago, the Bears handed Devin Aromashodu a No.11 jersey in practice and asked him to be Larry Fitzgerald. Detroit Lions - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1036109/lions-notebook-dominic-raiola-prepares-for-matchup-exteammate-shaun-rogers.html Lions center Dominic Raiola knows what he's up against Sunday when he faces Browns defensive tackle Shaun Rogers. The Lions drafted them both in the second round in 2001 -- Raiola 50th overall, Rogers 61st. Raiola battled Rogers in practice for seven years, until the Lions traded Rogers in 2008. Detroit Lions - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1036108/lions-get-yet-another-new-face-in-secondary.html The Lions now have added eight defensive backs since Sept. 4. "I thought it was 800," defensive coordinator Gunther Cunningham joked Wednesday. "I guess it's eight." Detroit Lions - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1036107/shaun-rogers-wont-confirm-or-deny-interest-in-lions.html Shaun Rogers returns to Detroit on Sunday with the Browns. But does the Pro Bowl defensive tackle wish he could play for the Lions again -- not against them -- even though he wanted out two years ago? Detroit Lions - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1036106/michael-rosenberg-belichicks-call-brings-back-memories-for-lions-fans.html This incident got me thinking about one of the most infamous Lions moments of the last 20 years -- a moment that, for many fans, still sums up the franchise. Detroit Lions - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1035940/browns-qb-brady-quinn-fined-for-low-block.html Berea, Ohio -- Cleveland Browns quarterback Brady Quinn has been fined by the NFL for his low hit on Baltimore's Terrell Suggs. Detroit Lions - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1035939/nfl-picks-week-11.html Detroit News writers Terry Foster, John Niyo, Bob Wojnowski and Tim Twentyman give their predictions and best bets for Week 8 of the NFL Detroit Lions - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1035938/shaun-rogers-lions-collapse-wasnt-my-fault.html The problem child nicknamed "Big Baby" was a big scapegoat at the end of the 2007 season. A 6-2 start and talk of the playoffs disintegrated as the Lions lost seven of their last eight games. Detroit Lions - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1035937/louis-delmas-cured-from-notsosweet-tooth.html Delmas, the Lions rookie starting safety, was a late scratch against the Vikings with an infected tooth that flared up and required a root canal and dental surgery. Detroit Lions - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1035936/john-niyo-bills-mess-even-without-dick-jauron.html You knew Jauron was cooked as Bills coach in September when he fired his offensive coordinator the day after losing to the Lions in the exhibition finale. Detroit Lions - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1034902/lions-sign-cb-smith-put-s-manuel-on-ir.html The Detroit Lions put safety Marquand Manuel on injured reserve Wednesday because of a shoulder injury and signed defensive back DeAngelo Smith. The Lions also placed cornerback Jack Williams on injured reserve on Wednesday due to a knee injury and signed center Melvin Fowler. The Dallas Cowboys drafted Smith in the fifth round of this year's draft and released him. He was also cut by Cleveland and Chicago. Fowler has started in 60 of 88 career games. Detroit Lions - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1033246/brownslions-preview.html The Detroit Lions have allowed more points than any other team this season after nearly setting a modern era record for defensive ineptitude during their winless 2008. Keeping the Cleveland Browns out of the end zone hasn't been much of a challenge for anyone. The Browns are threatening to set a new mark for offensive futility after a prime-time shutout loss, and the Lions will try to become the latest defense to take advantage Sunday at Ford Field in a matchup of one-win cellar dwellers. Detroit Lions - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1033245/protection-there-for-stafford.html The Detroit Lions might have lost Sunday's matchup from the first snap. Literally. Notes and quotes from Allen Park inside ... Detroit Lions - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1033244/7000-tickets-remain-for-sundays-game.html It looks like Sunday's game between the Lions and Browns is headed for a blackout.  7,000 tickets are still available for Sunday's game, and the deadline to reach a sellout is 1 p.m. tomorrow.  Of course, if the Lions somehow sell a few thousand tickets and show that they can reach a sellout, then a 24-hour extension will be granted on the deadline.  If that doesn't happen, though, the game will almost certainly be blacked out. So far this season there have only been two blackouts -- when the Redskins and Rams came to Detroit.  Before the Rams game was officially ruled a blackout, there were around 10,000 tickets, so having only 7,000 available is at least an improvement. The Lions have another home game a week from tomorrow, but considering that is the Thanksgiving game and the Packers are Detroit's opponent, there is no chance that will be blacked out.  Even last year the Lions sold out the Thanksgiving game against the Titans, so with Green Bay coming to town, I'd bet on it being sold out.  I'd also bet on seeing a lot of cheese heads at Ford Field.  It's less than ideal to have opposing fans take over your team's stadium, but if that means I can actually watch the game, I'm fine with it. Detroit Lions - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1033243/quothes-still-i-believe-in-college-modequot-edwards-said-cherilus-pointing-to-offensive.html "He's still, I believe, in the college mode," Edwards said of Cherilus, pointing to the offensive tackle's pass-blocking technique. Specifically, Edwards said Cherilus "turns his shoulders quickly." Vikings defensive end Ray Edwards on Gosder Cherilus Detroit Lions - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1033242/wednesday-notes-stephen-peterman-ernie-sims-others-miss-practice.html According to John Niyo, the players listed below missed practiced today for the Lions. Quick injury update from practice: Guard Stephen Peterman (ankle), linebacker Ernie Sims (hamstring), defensive end Dewayne White (toe), safety Kalvin Pearson (hamstring) and receiver Derrick Williams (hip) all are sitting out today. Also according to Niyo, Daniel Loper has stepped in for Peterman at right guard. Louis Delmas, who didn't end up playing against Minnesota because of an infected tooth, did practice, as did Larry Foote and Phillip Buchanon, who are both recovering from injuries.  According to Jim Schwartz, Anthony Henry is going to be active this Sunday and will be "in a lot of different roles."  Schwartz specifically mentioned that Henry can play at outside cornerback, nickel cornerback, and safety. Joshua Cribbs, perhaps the Browns' best player, missed practice today because of an injury that happened on the last play of Monday's game against the Ravens.  The game was basically over, but Cribbs was still out there playing and had to be taken off the field on a stretcher after receiving a big hit.  Why you would have a player like that out there when the game has already been decided is beyond me, but this is Eric Mangini we are talking about.  He may be one of the most incompetent coaches I've ever seen (the NFLPA is reportedly going to Cleveland to investigate his practice methods for crying out loud), and if you don't already think that, wait until you read the next bullet.  As for Cribbs, he merely hopes to play on Sunday.  For the Lions' sake, I hope he takes this game off, because he owned Detroit in the preseason. Vikings cornerback Benny Sapp talked up Calvin Johnson yesterday, calling him the "best receiver in the league, hands down."  He also said this about Megatron: "He's like the LeBron James of football because of his size, speed and his knowledge of the game." What's funny is that if Eric Mangini had it his way, LeBron James would be the LeBron James of football.  James talked on Tuesday about how he could become a football player if he was committed to it, and Mangini said this about the possibility of him playing for a different Cleveland team: "I think he should come on down," Mangini said. Shaun Rogers was a bit more skeptical, but for marketing reasons alone I wouldn't hesitate to sign LeBron James if he truly wanted to become an NFL player.  Still, Mangini must be pretty desperate if he has no qualms about an NBA player joining the team.  Then again, without Joshua Cribbs, the Browns' top receiver is Mohamed Massaquoi, who was one of Matthew Stafford's targets at Georgia last year.  Maybe signing James wouldn't be such a bad idea considering how little talent the Browns currently have, especially since Mangini thinks that the Cleveland Cavalier could play outside linebacker, wide receiver, and tight end. The Lions have already been eliminated from contending for the NFC North title.  A Canadian real estate company won the auction for the Silverdome and will buy it for only $583,000.  The plans for the Silverdome are to refurbish it and try to bring a Major League Soccer team to the area.  To that I say good luck, because the Silverdome is way, way too big for an MLS team.  Also, the commissioner of MLS sort of shot down the idea already, so I hope the new owners have a plan B.  Regardless, it's nice to see that there are actually plans to do something with the Lions' former stadium, though I'm saddened that there will be no Pride of Detroit Dome. Staying on the topic of the Silverdome, there is a story on WDIV's website about how a local development company is going to try to block the sale of the stadium to the Canadian real estate company.  Why? Silver Stallion lawyers said the company offered to purchase the stadium for $20 million but the negotiations broke down.Silver Stallion, which describes itself as a minority company, claims that the city breached contract and racially discriminated against them. I had to laugh when I read that.  Yeah, the city of Pontiac turned down an extra $19.4 million because they didn't want to sell it to a minority company.  Oh common sense, where art thou? I'm going to blame all of the recent injuries on Tom Kowalski because he jinxed the Lions about 40 minutes before Sunday's game. The Lions, though, aren't really in need of roster spots at this point in the season. The Lions are in relatively good shape physically -- Sims is believed to be the only player on today's inactive list because of an injury. The rest of the inactives are coaching decisions. The inactive list will definitely not include only one injured player this week.(The above quote is from Kowalski's story about how Ernie Sims' injury reportedly isn't season-ending, by the way.) It was nice not having Brett Favre in the division last year, because he owns the Lions. This week's SB Nation power rankings have been posted. Jon Gruden signed an extension with ESPN, meaning he won't be getting a job in the NFL (or with Notre Dame) anytime soon. The Bills fired Dick Jauron. The Bengals signed Larry Johnson. Vikings coach Brad Childress is likely going to receive a contract extension in the near future.  I'm fine with that, because Childress really doesn't seem like that great of a head coach.  Some of the decisions he made on Sunday left me scratching my head, and if it weren't for Brett Favre, he would probably be on the hot seat right now. Detroit Lions - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1033241/more-than-7000-tickets-left-for-lionsbrowns.html The Lions have more than 7,000 tickets remaining for Sunday's game against Cleveland, team spokeman Bill Keenist said today. Detroit Lions - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1031255/lions-sign-two-place-jack-williams-marquand-manuel-on-injured-reserve.html More photos » by Carlos Osorio - AP about 1 month ago: Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson (28) is stopped by Detroit Lions safety Marquand Manuel (40) during the first quarter of an NFL football game at Ford Field in Detroit, Sunday, Sept. 20, 2009. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio) Browse more photos » The repercussions from Sunday's injury-filled game are now being felt, because at least two players are out for the season and have been placed on injured reserve.  Cornerback Jack Williams and safety Marquand Manuel have already been placed on IR, and it's possible that Stephen Peterman could end up joining them at some point.  Williams was just claimed off waivers by Detroit a week ago and tore his left ACL on his first play with the Lions.  The injury is disappointing not only because of how soon it happened, but also because Williams has a lot of potential that will go unseen until 2010.  The hope was for Williams to come in and continue to develop as a pro cornerback, but the knee injury will be putting that development on hold. Manuel hurt his shoulder against the Vikings and is being shut down for the rest of the season as well.  It seemed like Manuel had hurt something in every game this season, but up until now, none of his ailments had been serious.  That is no longer the case, and the Lions have lost another defensive back because of an injury. To replace the two open spots on the roster created by the injuries to Williams and Manuel, the Lions signed safety DeAngelo Smith and offensive lineman Melvin Fowler.  Smith was a fifth-round pick by the Cowboys this year and was most recently on the Bears' practice squad.  Fowler is a veteran that most recently was on the Cardinals.  He spent exactly a month in Arizona right before the start of the season and was cut loose on September 4.  He actually took Donovan Raiola's spot on Arizona's roster when he was originally signed.  Donovan is Dominic Raiola's brother, and at some point Fowler could be lining up next to him in Detroit. (Another odd coincidence is that Donovan Raiola is currently on the Bears' practice squad, which is where the Lions got Smith from.  It's definitely a small world.) Right now there is no specific word on just how serious Stephen Peterman's ankle injury is, but considering he was carted to the locker room after it happened, I wouldn't expect him to be back anytime soon.  To steal Jim Schwartz's favorite word when describing injuries, Peterman's ankle problem seems significant.  The Lions haven't placed him on IR, but it doesn't look like he will be returning in the immediate future. Detroit Lions - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates