DETROIT LIONS UPDATE SEPT 11, 2009
-The Lions practiced in shorts on the outdoor fields today at the team's headquarters and practice facility in Allen Park.
-Following practice today, Lions Head Coach Jim Schwartz announced the team's 2009 captains: LB Larry Foote (defense), K Jason Hanson (special teams) and C Dominic Raiola (offense).
-Foote, Hanson and Raiola will serve as team captains for the entire 2009 season. Each player will wear a team captain patch that includes a block "C" on the right shoulder of their game jerseys. Being named team captain in 2009 marked the fourth-straight season Raiola has been named team captain, and it is the third consecutive year Hanson was named captain. This is the first year that Foote has been named captain during his NFL career. The "C" patch for Raiola and Hanson will each have three gold stars under the "C" signifying their three years of being selected captain since the NFL began its captain initiative in 2007.
-This is the fourth-straight year the Lions selected team captains for the entire season. Prior to the launch of the new NFL initiative, the team captains in 2006 were recognized with a gold "C" on their practice jersey and a sign in their locker.
-With an appearance this Sunday at New Orleans in the team's season opener, K Jason Hanson will push his franchise record of seasons played to 18. Hanson will become the fifth player in NFL history to play at least one game for 18 seasons with the team that drafted them. The all-time leaders among that group are T Jackie Slater (Los Angeles Rams; 20), CB Darrell Green (Washington; 20), C Bruce Matthews (Houston Oilers, Tennessee Oilers/Titans; 19) and Jeff Van Note (Atlanta Falcons; 18).
-This will also mark Hanson's 272nd career game with the Lions, which is also a franchise record.
-The following players have been listed on the Detroit Lions' Injury Report: G Stephen Peterman (ankle) and QB Drew Stanton (knee) did not practice today; CB Phillip Buchanon (neck), WR Yamon Figurs (finger), K Jason Hanson (knee), DE Jason Hunter (ribs), DT Grady Jackson (knee) and WR Dennis Northcutt (hand) were limited in practice. Stanton is doubtful; Buchanon, Figurs and Peterman are questionable and Hanson, Hunter, Jackson and Northcutt are probable for Sunday's game. TE Casey FitzSimmons (knee) and CB Anthony Henry (shoulder) were removed from the injury report today and Jackson was upgraded from no practice to limited practice.
-The following players were listed on the New Orleans Saints' Injury Report today: T Jammal Brown (hernia), TE Darnell Dinkins (foot), TE Jeremy Shockey (ankle) and RB Pierre Thomas (knee) did not practice and S Usama Young (shoulder) had full participation in practice today. Brown, Dinkins and Thomas are out and Shockey and Young are probable for Sunday's game. Shockey was added to the team's injury list today.
-The Detroit Lions will travel to New Orleans this weekend to open up the regular season against the Saints at the Superdome on Sunday, September 13 at 1 p.m. This week's matchup marks the 20th regular season meeting between the two teams. The game will be televised live in Metro Detroit on WJBK-TV FOX Channel 2 with Chris Myers handling play-by-play and Trent Green adding color commentary. The game will also be broadcast on the Lions Radio Network (WKRK 97.1 FM) with announcer Dan Miller handling play-by-play, Jim Brandstatter adding color commentary and Tony Ortiz reporting from the sideline.
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