NFL

GM Martin Mayhew has called Greenwood a player with "starting potential," but the 2012 fifth-rounder missed his entire rookie season with an abdominal injury. The Lions are sorting through Greenwood, Darius Slay, Bill Bentley, Jonte Green and Ron Bartell opposite Chris Houston. No. 36 pick Slay is likely the Lions' preferred choice.

Palmer played 65.4 percent of the Lions' snaps on special teams snaps last season, tied for most on the team. His play earned him a two-year extension. "I'm still a die-hard special-teams guy, but just a little more added to my plate and planning on taking on the challenge." Palmer is competing with Tahir Whitehead and Travis Lewis to replace Justin Durant. Palmer is a slight favorite after making two starts on the weak-side in 2012.

Shortly after Bush's signing, coach Jim Schwartz said Bush would be an option on returns. Bush was an explosive return man in New Orleans, but hasn't been featured on special teams since 2010. Bush has proven more durable in recent seasons, but the Lions would be risking his health by using him on punts. We doubt the plan comes to pass in the regular season.

"He's not here right now but there's nothing he can get out of this because he can't physically do the stuff we're doing," coach Jim Schwartz said. "The biggest thing with Lou is going to be his health and that's what he's working on." Delmas was limited to eight games in 2012 after an August knee procedure. It's unclear if he went under-the-knife again after the season. Thanks to his injury history, the majority of Delmas' 2013 salary is tied up in per-game roster bonuses.

"He's battling some stuff," coach Jim Schwartz said. "He can do some individual stuff but he's not ready to do any team work." There are no indications that the injury is serious, but it's worrisome news for a player who's had trouble staying healthy since being drafted. Leshoure can ill-afford more leg ailments after plodding through 2012. For now, Leshoure remains penciled in as the Lions' short-yardage "specialist" despite last season's anemic 3.71 yards per carry.

"I wasn't supposed to; I was told not to (practice)," Burleson said. "But it's like I always told you guys, if I can walk I can run, and if I can run I can play. ... It's as healed up as it's going to get." Burleson will likely take it easy before training camp, but his leg is no longer an issue. Burleson will fill-in as the Lions' No. 2 receiver until Ryan Broyles (torn ACL) is ready to return.

The drop-prone 2009 first-rounder is listed at 265 pounds. Pettigrew admits he put the ball on the ground too many times in 2012, and says "cutting out the drops and bad plays" will be his focus this season. Pettigrew is due $1.946 million in his walk year. He can't be trusted as a TE1.