Lions LT Backus returns to practice

ALLEN PARK, Mich. (AP) — The Detroit Lions activated left tackle Jeff Backus on Sunday and the 11-year veteran practiced with the team for the first time this season.

Backus, who's started 160 straight games, suffered a partially torn chest muscle during the offseason and spent the first three weeks of training camp on the active/non-football injury list.

It's not clear whether he'll play in Saturday's exhibition game against visiting New England.