Detroit Lions missing 4 starters at practice, but Tom Savage, Tyrell Crosby return

The Detroit Lions got two key backups back from concussions at practice Monday, but were without four starters.

Quarterback Tom Savage and offensive tackle Tyrell Crosby practiced Monday for the first time since the Lions' Aug. 8 exhibition opener against the New England Patriots.

Savage left in the first quarter with a brain injury, and Crosby was diagnosed with his brain injury after the game.

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Both players are expected to fill key backup roles this fall, with Savage an insurance piece behind Matthew Stafford and Crosby serving as the Lions' swing offensive tackle.

Neither Jarrad Davis nor Frank Ragnow practiced Monday after leaving last week's loss to the Buffalo Bills with leg injuries, and the Lions also were without Rashaan Melvin, Jesse James, Da'Shawn Hand, Austin Bryant and Andy Jones.

Hand and Bryant have been out since the first week of training camp, while Melvin's injury is unknown, though he was treated on the bench by trainers in the second quarter last week.

Cornerback Teez Tabor, who's been out since Aug. 1 with a leg injury, also returned to practice Monday.

The Lions are not expected to play many starters in Thursday's preseason finale against the Cleveland Browns, but the game could serve as a final chance for players like Tabor and Jones to make the 53-man roster.

The Lions open the regular season Sept. 8 against the Arizona Cardinals.

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Contact Dave Birkett at dbirkett@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @davebirkett. Read more on the Detroit Lions and sign up for our Lions newsletter.