Stafford sits out Lions practice

Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford did not participate in Wednesday's practice as the team started preparations for Sunday's game against Minnesota.

Stafford took the field donning a jersey without pads and did not have a helmet.  He wore a baseball cap backwards as he tossed a football with fellow quarterbacks Shaun Hill and Kellen Moore during individual warm-ups and drills.

Stafford was unable to finish Sunday's game against Tennessee and complained of a strained leg muscle after the game.  He said the leg was injured during practice last week.

"I'm getting better," Stafford said. "I feel better today than I did on Sunday. I'm just taking it day-by-day."

Last season, Stafford played through a broken finger and said learning to play through injuries is important in the NFL.

"It's obviously something you learn to do when you get into this league and I'm no different than anyone else," said Stafford.

Head coach Jim Schwartz didn't comment on Stafford's availability after practice when he addressed the media.  He refers any injury question to the daily injury report, which the team releases at or near 4pm each day.

Also sitting out the portion of practice open to the media were TE Tony Scheffler, WR Titus Young, DT Corey Williams, DB Louis Delmas and LB Travis Lewis.

Defensive tackle Nick Fairley, who had a preliminary trial scheduled for 9:30 Wednesday morning in Alabama, was at practice and participating with his teammates.

Newly-signed punter Nick Harris was at practice and was issued the #5.

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