The Lions announced Tuesday that they signed free agent linebacker Josh Bynes and traded linebacker Kyle Van Noy to the New England Patriots.
Bynes, who spent the last two seasons with the Lions, is happy to be back.
"Right now I'm just glad to be back, glad to be with the guys," Bynes said. "That's the main thing. Definitely get back into the swing of things and we'll see what happens."
So where do the Lions stand at linebacker after the recent swap?
We'll find out who the starters are Sunday in Houston, but in addition to Bynes, the team has Tahir Whitehead, DeAndre Levy, Antwione Williams, and Thurston Armbrister on the roster. Defensive end Brandon Copeland can also fill in at linebacker if needed.
Levy missed practice all week with knee and quad injuries, but the Van Noy trade could be a sign that Levy may be ready to return soon.
It takes a team effort to win games, but quarterback Matthew Stafford is a big reason why the Lions are currently on a three-game winning streak.
His play, especially in the clutch, has drawn a lot of attention nationally over the last couple weeks.
"I don't really pay too much attention to it," Stafford said of the added attention. "My job is to play well for this team, not for anybody else out there. I prepare and play for the coaches and the players in that locker room, and that's all I really care about."
Stafford has now played 16 games in Jim Bob Cooter's system, and the numbers speak for themselves: 391-of-570 passing (69 percent) for 4,310 yards with 35 touchdowns and eight interceptions for a 105.4 QB rating.
"I think we do a good job of mixing it up," Stafford said of Cooter's scheme.
"I just feel comfortable, obviously, and have a bunch of really good playmakers around me as well, so that helps, always. But, I just feel comfortable in it, understand what we're trying to get done, and going out there and executing."
Stafford is also being recognized as the team's Ed Block Courage Award winner for appearing in all 16 games last year while managing arm, rib and quad injuries.
"It's one of those things where he can get dressed up and look pretty nice and pretty sharp, but you can't shine the toughness out of him, you know, he's a tough guy and we're glad he's leading our group," head coach Jim Caldwell said Thursday after the award announcement.
This week's opponent, the Houston Texans, are coming off a rough outing against the Denver Broncos on national TV.
However, the Lions aren't expecting the Texans to let the loss effect their emotional state in this Sunday's matchup.
"We just watch the tape," Stafford said. "This is the NFL. Teams show up to play every Sunday, no matter what happened the week before or who they played."
For Mike O'Hara's full scouting report on the Texans, click here.
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