Jan 7, 2012; Houston, TX, USA; Cincinnati Bengals running back Cedric Benson (32) carries the ball during the AFC Wild Card Playoff game against the Houston Texans at Reliant Stadium. The Texans defeated the Bengals 31-10. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-US PRESSWIRE

Here is a look at the news impacting the Detroit Lions:

• According to FOXSportsWisconsin.com, the Detroit Lions and the Oakland Raiders attempted to sign former Cincinnati Bengals running back Cedric Benson. Benson told reporters that he chose to sign with the Green Bay Packers because, “They talk about a Super Bowl around here, not about winning their first playoff game.” To which we say, thanks, Cedric, but we’ll stick with our humble, hardworking running backs.
• Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press reported from his Twitter account that wide receivers Calvin Johnson, Patrick Edwards and Ryan Broyles, and safety Don Carey returned to practice today; however, defensive end Kyle Vanden Bosch, linebacker Stephen Tulloch, defensive tackles Sammie Hill and Corey Williams, safety Louis Delmas, running backs Mikel Leshoure and Jahvid Best, and offensive tackles Jeff Backus and Jonathan Scott did not participate in today’s practice.
• Birkett also added that Corey Hilliard took first team reps at left offensive tackle. Riley Reiff took third team reps at right offensive guard for the second straight day in a row.
• John Kreger of CBS Sports mentioned on Twitter that Nick Fairley was banged up during a contact drill, but was able to return to practice in a limited manner.
• Here is surprise: Jacques McClendon had his best moment of training camp, Kreger tweeted, as the huge offensive lineman opened a hole to help the offensive line win a drill at practice.
• Lions foe Brian Urlacher, a linebacker for the Chicago Bears, had surgery on his knee this morning and is eyeing a return for the first week of the regular season, ProFootballTalk.com wrote today.

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Clipped from: www.suntimes.com (share this clip)

Players from the Bears and Detroit Lions are expected to make a sizeable contribution to the NFL’s charitable partners this week.

A scrap between Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford and Bears cornerback D.J. Moore cleared both benches and required several minutes to be sorted out.

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The biggest need for the Bears in the offseason was to strengthen their offensive line.  Chicago allowed the most sacks in the entire league last year including giving up ten sacks to the Giants in which Jay Cutler got knocked out of the game.  The Bears spent their first-round selection on right tackle Gabe Carimi.  Before training camp, the Bears let go of  veteran and six time Pro Bowl center Olin Kreutz.  The Bears signed former Seahawks center Chris Spencer to replace Kreutz.  In their first preseason game against the Bills, the offensive line was dismal.  Bears fans started to panic but after watching Monday’s game against the Giants, they can feel more confident.  All eyes were on the offensive line for the preseason game and they performed pretty well.  The pass protection was great but they did have some struggles establishing a running game.
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