Nate Burleson joked earlier this week that he’d have the freshest legs of any player at Ford Field today after sitting out the last seven games with a broken forearm.

Draped in an American flag, as part of the team’s Salute to Servicemen, Burleson got down on his hands and knees and kissed the Ford Field turf when he was introduced with the other starters on offense.

Then, Burlson got to work, making his presence immediately felt.

He picked up right where he left off in Washington Week 3, when he had six catches for 116 yards.

Burleson caught five of the seven passes thrown his way for 67 yards and a touchdown. He's taking advantage of the Bucs' focus on Calvin Johnson on the outside.

The Lions didn’t get enough production from their complementary pieces in a loss to Pittsburgh last week

Burleson’s been terrific in the first half and rookie tight end Joseph Fauria scored his sixth touchdown of the season on a 10-yard score in the second quarter.

Unfortunately, two Stafford interceptions, one returned 48 yards for a touchdown by Leonard Johnson, have helped Tampa Bay to a 17-14 halftime lead.