Artificial turf in Detroit to test McPhee’s knee
Outside linebacker Pernell McPhee returned to practice Thursday, but the knee injury that kept him out a day earlier might not appreciate the artificial turf Sunday at Ford Field.
‘‘ It’s going to be a fast track,’’ McPhee said. ‘‘ It’s going to be a fast- track game. Everybody’s going to be getting off the ball. . . .
‘‘ We ain’t got to worry about the snow [ like the Bears did Sunday at Soldier Field] and worry about getting off the ball, slipping and sliding everywhere.’’
Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford is more mobile in the pocket than he was in Week 4.
‘‘ He’s liable to pull down the ball more than he did in the past,’’ McPhee said. ‘‘ So we just gotta keep an eye on that and have a good plan, try to contain him.’’
Asked whether he can chase Stafford down, McPhee laughed.
‘‘ I don’t know,’’ he said. ‘‘ We’ll see.’’
Working on drops
After receiver Josh Bellamy dropped potential touchdown passes in back- to- back weeks, the Bears are working with him to try to keep his feet on the ground when the ball arrives.
‘‘ It’s something that we work on fundamentally that we’re trying to coach,’’ offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains said. ‘‘ Josh obviously made a couple of those jumping catches. . . . There are definitely some fundamental things we’re trying to work through with him.’’
Bellamy had a career- high 93 receiving yards Sunday but dropped what likely would have been a 61- yard catch- and- run for a touchdown. The week before, he dropped what likely would have been the winning touchdown.
‘‘ I want to make every play,’’ Bellamy said this week. ‘‘ I just went back and refocused. We caught more balls this week, and we focused in, locked in and got the job done.’’
This and that
Outside linebacker Willie Young missed practice a day after being limited with a knee injury. Receiver Eddie Royal ( toe) and offensive tackle Mike Adams ( back) sat out, too.
Receiver Marquess Wilson, who missed practice Wednesday with a groin injury, returned but was limited. So were Bellamy ( shoulder) and linebacker Jonathan Anderson ( hamstring).
Cornerback Tracy Porter ( knee) practiced in full after sitting out Wednesday. Safety Adrian Amos ( foot) and cornerback Deiondre’ Hall ( ankle) were upgraded to full participants after being limited.
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