DE Cliff Avril is glad to be back - he signed a one-year tender worth $2.7 million on Thursday - but he's a little befuddled that he didn't get a better, longer deal.

"It was part of the process," he said. "I knew I couldn't practice until Thursday, so me and my agent thought it would be good to at least see if anybody wanted to try and grab me. I am glad they didn't - kind of."

Avril, who was restricted, was hoping another team might present him an offer sheet for more than the price of his tender.

"Mentally, at first, it was frustrating," Avril said of the process. "I didn't know what the possibilities were. I had a son on the way and I knew I could've been shipped out at any time. That was the most frustrating thing, not knowing if I was going to be here or not."

Avril's son Xavier was born Wednesday and he signed his tender on Thursday. But as for his long-term future with the Lions, that might still be up in the air.

"Just see how I play," he said, when asked what the Lions said about a long-term deal. "That's the nature of the beast. If I don't produce, they aren't going to offer anything. If I do, then they probably will. That's how I am taking it."

PLAYER NOTES

--LB Zack Follett was waived healthy last week. He was trying to come back from a serious neck injury and was cleared for camp. After two practices, though, he was released.

--WR Nate Hughes was claimed off waivers from Jacksonville. He is one of 12 WR in camp.

--OG Greg Niland was signed off waivers from Arizona. He will have a hard time unseating top reserves Dylan Gandy and Donald Thomas in the middle of the offensive line.

--DL Greg Banks, an undrafted rookie from Michigan, was signed to fill in after DT Nick Fairley (foot) was injured.

--OT Isaac Sowells, a four-year vet, was signed last week after three other tackles went down with injuries.

--TE-FB Preston Dial, an undrafted rookie from Alabama, has been impressive, both in how fast he's picked up the system and his versatility. He can play fullback, tight end and special teams.

--RB Ian Johnson, who spent last season on the practice squad, is a long-shot to win the third running back spot, but he's been impressive. He could steal a spot from veteran Maurice Morris with some flash moments in the exhibition games.

BATTLE OF THE WEEK
There are essentially eight receivers in camp fighting for possibly one spot. Calvin Johnson, Nate Burleson, Titus Young and return specialist Stefan Logan are safe. Derrick Williams presently appears to be ahead of Rashied Davis and Maurice Stovall. Second-year Tim Toone has also been impressive.

OTHER BATTLE FRONTS
There is a lot of competition for the cornerback spots. Although Chris Houston would have to have a poor camp to lose his job, Aaron Berry, Eric Wright, Alphonso Smith (injured), Prince Miller, Maurice Leggett, Brandon McDonald, Nathan Vasher and Paul Pratt, plus undrafted rookie Jamal Robinson are all getting reps.

ROOKIE REPORT

--OT Johnny Culbreath is getting more reps than he could have ever dreamed of, thanks to injuries to three of the top four OTs. He is still raw and struggling with his technique, but he is an imposing physical specimen (6-5, 322).

--LB Doug Hogue is going to have a hard time getting any run with the defense, but he looks like he could be valuable on the coverage teams. He's a much better athlete than linebacker right now.

--LB Quentin Davie, undrafted out of Northwestern, has been getting more reps at LB than Hogue. He could steal a roster spot.

INJURY REPORT

--WR Titus Young (rookie) still out with leg stiffness. Expected back next week.

--DT Nick Fairley (rookie) out 4-5 weeks with broken left foot.

--RB Maurice Morris out indefinitely with a broken right hand.

--FS Louis Delmas is out three days after a pin from an old surgery was removed from his hand.

--OT Gosder Cherilus (knee), out all week, is still listed as day-to-day.

--OT Jeff Backus (chest) is still on the non-football injury list.

--CB Alphonso Smith (foot) is on the non-football injury list.

--OT Jason Fox (foot) is out indefinitely.

--DT Andre Fluellen (broken hand) out indefinitely.

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