Lions' Travis Swanson doubtful, Darius Slay questionable for Packers
Dave Birkett
Darius Slay stood in front of his locker quietly packing up his things as a crowd of reporters gathered to check in on his balky right hamstring.
Slay said earlier this week that he planned to talk Friday, but when reporters approached he said he was told not to speak.
"By Mufasa," Slay said.
Asked if the Lion King in question was Jim Caldwell or Bob Quinn, Slay backtracked and said he was in simply in a rush to leave.
Several minutes later, he walked quietly out of the locker room.
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The Lions listed Slay as questionable on their official injury report Friday, after he practiced on a limited basis for a third straight day.
Slay missed two games and had the benefit of a third week off - the Lions' bye week - when he pulled his hamstring earlier this year, and he's trying to come back from his second injury of the season after missing just one game.
The Lions will need him Sunday when they host Aaron Rodgers and the red-hot Green Bay Packers in a game that will decide the NFC North. The Packers (9-6) have won five straight and Rodgers is coming off a 347-yard, four-touchdown game in a 38-25 win over the Minnesota Vikings.
The Lions ruled top running back Theo Riddick (wrist) out for a fourth straight game Friday, and center Travis Swanson (concussion) is doubtful and not expected to play. Swanson practiced on a limited basis for the third straight day, but he was largely an observer during the open portion of practice.
Rookie Graham Glasgow took first-team reps at center later after practice was closed to reporters.
Along with Slay, linebacker DeAndre Levy (knee) and return man Andre Roberts (shoulder) are questionable for Sunday. Roberts wore a red no-contact jersey at practice Friday. If he can't play, TJ Jones (punts) and Asa Jackson (kicks) could handle returns. Levy is expected to start.
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Contact Dave Birkett: dbirkett@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @davebirkett.