PLAYER NOTES

--RB Eldra Buckley, a former Eagle, worked out for the Lions Thursday. He was not immediately signed.

--RB James Davis, signed to the practice squad on Wednesday, was placed on practice squad injured reserve less than 24 hours after his first practice. FB Matt Clapp replaced him on the practice squad.

--TE Tony Scheffler (concussion) practiced, though he was limited, on Thursday. He has yet to be cleared for Sunday.

--OLB Justin Durant (concussion) also practiced. He hasn't been cleared for Sunday either.

--CB Chris Houston (back) returned to practice.

--SS Vincent Fuller (elbow) returned to practice, though he remains limited.

--WR Rashied Davis (foot), though he was active for the first time in three weeks last Sunday, is back in a walking boot and doubtful for Sunday.

--WR Nate Burleson relates the Lions' passing attack to a shooter's rhythm in basketball. "It's like with a really good shooting guard in basketball," he said. "When you can get the ball in the hoop early, that rhythm will carry you through four quarters. For us, we need to get the ball into our playmakers' hands early, move the chains, get that adrenaline going and continue it through four quarters."

--SS Amari Spievey was excused from practice on Wednesday so he could attend the funeral of his cousin, professional basketball player Chauncey Hardy, who was killed in Romania.

--TE Nathan Overbay was released from the practice squad.

GAME PLAN
The Lions will have to do what they say they set out to do every week: stop the run and force the Falcons to be one dimensional on offense. That was the plan against the 49ers Sunday and Frank Gore gashed them for 141 yards. You have to fear their chances against Michael Turner. After putting extreme pressure on Bears QB Jay Cutler, the Lions couldn't get at Alex Smith. If they don't put pressure on Matt Ryan, it will be a long day for the secondary.

The Lions haven't had to deal with two vertical threats like Roddy White and Julio Jones. Corners Chris Houston and Eric Wright will have their hands full.

Offensively, if they can contain the pressure from defensive ends Ray Edwards and John Abraham (six sacks between them), QB Matthew Stafford should be able to pick the Falcons' back seven apart. They are 27th in pass defense, giving up 282.2 yards per game.

MATCHUPS TO WATCH
Lions LT Jeff Backus vs. Falcons DE John Abraham: Certainly Backus' matchup is vital every week, but it particularly so this week. He is coming off one of his worst games. Against the 49ers' Aldon Smith, he was beaten for three sacks, seven pressures and one hit. Abraham has been playing through an injury, but he's dangerous.

Lions OLB vs. Falcons TE Tony Gonzalez: Gonzalez is four catches away from passing Cris Carter and Marvin Harrison for second place on the all-time receiving list. Teams have been isolating tight ends against the left-side linebacker. Bobby Carpenter struggled with Vernon Davis last week. The Lions hope Justin Durant (concussion) will be ready to play this week.

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