Terrell Suggs practiced for the second consecutive day - albeit on a limited basis - but the Ravens' three-time Pro Bowl linebacker-defensive end sounded cautious about reading too much into the progress of his sprained right knee.
"I'm trying to feel it out," Suggs said Thursday. "I don't really want to go before it's ready. It's not ready. We're just trying to see how it feels in game situations. I guess we've just got to wait and see Sunday."
Suggs hadn't missed a game in his seven-year career until Cleveland Browns quarterback Brady Quinn hit him low during an interception return by Chris Carr on Nov. 16. Suggs has sat out the past three games, giving the sprained ligament in the knee time to heal.
"It does feel better, but it still has some issues," he said. "I'm still not trusting it fully, all the way, but who knows? As the week goes on, it's a long way from Sunday. We've just got to see."
Suggs has been at the center of off-field controversy as a woman who identified herself as his fiancee and the mother of his two children filed a restraining order against him after an alleged attack. Candace Williams, 26, also filed a lawsuit against Suggs, seeking custody of the children and $70 million.
Suggs, who declined to discuss the legal matters, said they won't be a distraction.
"Like I said, after everything is handled, you all can ask all the questions you want about it."
Injury update
The six players who did not practice Wednesday - free safety Ed Reed (strained hip, foot), linebacker Jarret Johnson (left shoulder/back), wide receiver Mark Clayton (tweaked right hamstring), offensive tackle Jared Gaither (foot), tight end L.J. Smith (ankle) and offensive lineman David Hale (concussion) - again did not practice Thursday.
In addition to Suggs, kicker Billy Cundiff (concussion) was limited for the second consecutive day. Defensive tackle Brandon McKinney was added to the injury report, participating on a limited basis because of a back issue.
Quarterback Joe Flacco (knee, hip) practiced fully for the second straight day.
For Detroit, defensive tackle Grady Jackson (knee) was downgraded and did not practice after being limited Wednesday. Quarterback Matthew Stafford (separated left shoulder) did not practice for the second consecutive day.
Five other starters - linebacker Ernie Sims (hamstring), defensive end Dewayne White (toe), rookie free safety Louis Delmas (ankle), offensive lineman Daniel Loper (back) and punter Nick Harris (left knee) - were limited. Cornerback Will James (neck) was upgraded from limited to full participation.
Calvin the terror
Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson was a terror against opposing cornerbacks last season, finishing tied for first in the NFL in touchdown catches (12), fifth in yards (1,331) and tied for second in receptions of 20 or more yards (21) and of 40 or more yards (seven).
Although the 6-foot-5, 239-pound wide-out's numbers - 47 catches, 730 receiving yards and four receiving touchdowns - pale by comparison, Johnson still commands attention. Several opponents have tried to take Johnson out of the game by rolling their coverages toward him, but Ravens cornerback Domonique Foxworth isn't sure that is the best solution.
"I don't think shading him or anything like that is something they haven't seen," Foxworth said. "So while it does make it a little simpler, it makes it simpler for them also. It's something they've probably been dealing with all season. So it's important to mix it up and try not to let them know what we're doing until we're doing it."
Barnes is back
After being deactivated in five of his past six contests, linebacker Antwan Barnes saw his most extensive action in almost two months in the Ravens' 27-14 loss to the Green Bay Packers on Monday night.
Although he finished with just one tackle, Barnes said his morale never dipped even as rookie Paul Kruger leapfrogged him on the defense's depth chart.
"I always had confidence in myself," Barnes said. "I never doubted myself, and I never doubted my abilities. In the right game plan, they want me to do what I can do. I hope I'm in this game plan, too."
Washington shows
Fabian Washington made an appearance in the team's locker room after practice Wednesday, and even though the cornerback was using crutches to aid his surgically repaired left knee, he was in good spirits.
"Surgery went great," said Washington, who underwent surgery Dec. 1 to repair the anterior cruciate ligament that he tore in the Ravens' 17-15 loss to the Indianapolis Colts on Nov. 22. "Now I'm just going through the recovery. Rehab is going good. I'm on the road to recovery. ... I'm hoping to be back to myself in about six months."
Who his employer will be at that time is unclear as Washington is scheduled to become a free agent after this season. "I'm just worried about my knee right now," he said. "We'll deal with this next year when the offseason comes around."
End zone
If Reed, a five-time Pro Bowl selection, can't play for the second straight week because of a strained hip, Tom Zbikowski would make his second career start. "My approach is the same as last week," he said. "Just keep practicing during the week and whatever happens, happens." ... Aside from coach Jim Schwartz, the Lions have five players or coaches with ties to the Ravens and Baltimore. Wide receiver Bryant Johnson was born and raised in Baltimore and attended City. Running back Cedric Peerman was selected by the Ravens in the sixth round of the 2009 draft, and tight end Jake Nordin spent some time on the Ravens' practice squad last season. Both Peerman and Nordin are on Detroit's practice squad. Running backs coach Sam Gash played for the Ravens from 2000 to 2002, and assistant offensive line coach Jeremiah Washburn spent six years in the Ravens' personnel department as the Southwest area scout and personnel assistant. Senior personnel executive James "Shack " Harris was director of pro personnel for the Ravens from 1997 to 2002.