Photo Credit: Andrew Weber-US PRESSWIRE

The following is a training camp report from August 13 provided by SLR reader Mike Sullivan. You can follow him on twitter @MikeSullivan.

Fans at Detroit Lions practice yesterday morning were surprised to see All-Pro WR and Madden 13 Cover Athlete, Calvin Johnson, sitting out of practice with his left index finger taped up. A crowd of about 500 fans caught an up close and personal look at the 2012 Detroit Lions at their training facility in Allen Park this morning. Calvin’s finger has been bothering him since last week, but there wasn’t much concern after he played in the team’s first preseason game Friday night against the Cleveland Browns. To see him sit out today came as a shock to some fans, and also brought along some understandable concern and questions. Head Coach Jim Schwartz had this to say about “Megatron”:

“He wasn’t shut down because of his finger,” Schwartz said. “Just general camp kind of legs and soreness. He needed a day here, too. Calvin doesn’t have a regulator, either.”

Calvin has had his fair share of bumps and bruises in the 6 years he’s been in the league. While his left index finger is not a major injury, Jim Schwartz still felt it was necessary to simply give him the day off today and give his body some rest. When asked about the potential “Madden curse,” Calvin said “I’m a God-fearing man, curses don’t bother me.” Words that Lions fans were certainly happy to hear.

Johnson led the NFL with 1,681 receiving yards last year and played all 16 games for just the second time in his career. More great things are projected of him this season, as he is a consensus first round draft choice in almost every fantasy football draft so far this year. No reason for any concern about Calvin’s health today, but if he continues to miss practice time throughout the rest of the week, fans will definitely start getting a little nervous.

In just helmets and jerseys, it was a solid day of team practice. The Lions took the field at 9:15 AM and got off around 11:30 AM. It is clear that QB Matthew Stafford is certainly the leader of this team. He is the first one through the line in sprints, leads by his actions and sets the tone for tempo and offensive expectations. The Lions offense looked very efficient today with good rhythm and tempo. In Calvin’s absence, WR Maurice Stovall took reps with the 1s alongside Nate Burleson and Titus Young. While a decent number of defensive starters were still on the injury report today, the D still looked very quick and flew to the ball nicely. The secondary seemed about a half step late on judging routes, but rookie CB Bill Bentley is certainly turning some heads with his impressive camp and preseason so far. Expect physical play for Stephen Tulloch and the LB core, while Ndamukong Suh anchors the D-Line. Those wondering about the winningest college football QB of all time, Kellen Moore, he is the clear cut third QB (Behind Stafford and Shaun Hill.) It is still uncertain whether the Lions will keep 3 QBs on the active roster like they have the past couple years with Drew Stanton. Overall, a productive day for the Detroit Lions.

August 10, 2012; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions defensive tackle Nick Fairley (98) on sidelines during the second half between the Detroit Lions and the Cleveland Browns at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-US PRESSWIRE

Here are today’s news and notes from Allen Park:

• Stud wide receiver Calvin Johnson sat out today’s practice after head coach Jim Schwartz awarded him an off day to rest. However, Johnson did have his left index finger taped while he was watching practice. Running back Mikel Leshoure, wide receivers Ryan Broyles, Titus Young and Patrick Edwards, defensive end Kyle Vanden Bosch and safety Don Carey also missed practice today.
• Rookie defensive end Ronnell Lewis (shoulder) and linebacker Justin Durant (foot) were unable to finish today’s pratice because of injuries, but Schwartz said neither of the players faced serious injuries. Durant suffered an injury in Friday’s game.
• Defensive tackle Nick Fairley’s DUI court hearing was pushed back to Sept. 26, according to the Detroit News. The Lions are still waiting to hear from NFL commissioner Roger Goodell regarding Fairley’s likely suspension.
• The Detroit News reported that Friday’s Lions and Browns preseason game was the most watched television program among Metro Detroit households with a 11.0 rating; however, the Olympics only received a 10.1 rating. For those keeping score at home, football is king!
• Safety Amari Spievey wishes he could have played last Friday against Cleveland, but lingering headaches from a previous concussion he suffered last season kept him off of the field. “I wish I could have played in the preseason game. It’s hard watching my boys out there and I’m not out there, but I should be all right. It’s very frustrating, but I just have to take it and move on.” Credit to the Detroit News for the quote.
• Reshard Langford, the safety who signed with the Lions over the weekend, practiced with the team for the first time today.
• Baltimore Ravens outside linebacker Courtney Upshaw is confident that he’ll play Friday night against the Detroit Lions, CBS Sports reported.
• According to team officials, 2,819 fans attended the Lions annual Kids Day practice on Sunday at the Allen Park, Mich., practice facility.

Photo Credit: Tim Fuller-US PRESSWIRE

Detroit Lions rookie cornerback Bill Bentley has been a hot name during training camp. He’s repeatedly been called out by coaches and media alike as one of the top performers at this year’s camp and it has resulted in an apparent move up the depth chart.

Chris Houston, the team’s unquestioned number one cornerback, left practice early on Saturday and that allowed Bentley to get some first team reps opposite Jacob Lacey. Even before Houston left, Bentley was getting first team reps in nickel packages with Jacob Lacey sliding inside.

Houston is back at practice today at his left cornerback position but instead of Lacey getting the reps on the other side it is Bill Bentley. With Bentley already getting on the field in nickel packages it was obvious he is positioned to play a big role for the Lions this season, but that role might still be growing.

With today’s development, the Lions depth chart at cornerback looks something like this:
1. Chris Houston
2. Bill Bentley
3. Jacob Lacey
4. Alphonso Smith
5. Jonte Green