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With key defensive players littering the injury report, Detroit may not be able to put its best foot forward against the Cardinals on Sunday. Five Lions missed practice on Wednesday, four of them on the defensive side of the ball.
Standout defensive lineman Nick Fairley didn't practice due to a shoulder injury. He left Week 14's game against the Packers late in the fourth quarter and never returned. Tight end Brandon Pettigrew suffered an ankle injury in the first quarter of the same game, and was also a no-show at practice.
After missing Week 14 entirely with a knee injury, safety Louis Delmas looks to be out again after not practicing Wednesday. He has played in only five games this season, crippling the Lions secondary. Furthering the problem are injuries to corners Chris Houston and Jacob Lacey, who failed to practice as well. Houston is out with a hamstring and Lacey has a nicked up Achilles.
Calvin Johnson was listed on the injury report with a knee injury, but he was able to return to practice in a limited capacity.