More than two months after undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his left knee, Detroit Lions safety Louis Delmas said he still isn’t 100%.
But Delmas remains on track to make his season debut Sunday against the Philadelphia Eagles, even if it’s in less than a full-time role.
“First game back, so we have to be patient with stuff a little bit,” Lions secondary coach Tim Walton said. “It’s his first one back, so you don’t want to overdo it. You got to let him get back in the flow a little bit. He hasn’t played in a while, so you’ve got to make sure you make the right decisions with him.”
Delmas did not practice today and is listed as questionable on the team’s official injury report, but he didn’t appear bothered by the knee on which he had surgery Aug. 7 when he came running onto the field about 20 minutes into practice and dived headfirst into a tackling dummy.
Delmas returned to practice last week for the first time since the start of training camp and was limited in workouts Tuesday through Thursday.
He said he has been “very frustrated” being confined to the sidelines during the Lions’ 1-3 start, especially after missing the final five games of the regular season last year with a right knee injury that eventually required surgery.
“That’s just like you being sick, not being able to do what you love,” Delmas said. “Any athlete or any warrior who’s been playing a sport for so long, and it’s been shortened just because of injuries (would) be very devastated and frustrated. But my teammates have been doing a good job of holding my back and keeping me grounded and letting me know that it’s going to be OK. And like I said, it’s day-by-day so hopefully, game day, I’ll be able to participate.”
The Lions have gotten spotty play at safety in Delmas’ absence, which has affected the rest of the defense.
In the 10 games since he injured his knee last Thanksgiving, including a wild-card loss to the New Orleans Saints when he played at less than 100%, the Lions have allowed 28 points per game, about six more than they did the first 11 games last year with Delmas in the lineup.
Fill-in John Wendling was benched in favor of practice squad call-up Ricardo Silva for a Week 4 loss to the Minnesota Vikings, after his poor play contributed to one touchdown by the Tennessee Titans, and Erik Coleman was at fault for another long score.
Both Coleman and Amari Spievey, who’s returning from a groin injury, are expected to see time at safety Sunday.
Delmas acknowledged he’s “not 100%,” but he expressed optimism his injuries are behind him.
“I’m good. I’m clear-minded now, so the monkey’s off my back,” Delmas said. “I just can’t wait to play out there, can’t wait to get out there and show the city of Detroit what they’ve been waiting on, that I can go out there and participate with my teammates and get a couple wins out here.”
Defensive tackle Corey Williams will miss his second game after September knee surgery, and defensive linemen Cliff Avril (back) and Sammie Hill (toe) are listed as questionable.
Linebacker Stephen Tulloch (knee) was added to the injury report today, but is probable for Sunday. Titus Young (knee), Brandon Pettigrew (knee), Travis Lewis (quad) and Spievey (groin) also are probable.
Contact Dave Birkett: 313-222-8831 or dbirkett@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @davebirkett.