Lions Insider

Only safety Louis Delmas (knee) and cornerback Chris Houston (ankle) were absent from the portion of practice open to the media.

Delmas hasn’t practice since undergoing knee surgery Aug. 7 and his availability for Sunday’s season-opener at Ford Field against the Rams is still in question. Lions head coach Jim Schwartz said Delmas would have to practice at some point this week if he were going to play Sunday.

“I don’t want to say Monday's his biggest thing,” Schwartz said after last Thursday’s preseason finale. “It’s probably we’re going to need to see him get on the field. His first action isn’t going to be Sunday against the Rams. He’s going to need to get back, but I think he’s on a good path. I don’t know when he’ll get back, but he’s been improving every day. He’s been making good progress.”

Houston injured his ankle in the third preseason game against the Raiders and hasn't practiced since.

Both of their availability for Sunday is still in doubt.

Running back Kevin Smith (ankle) and cornerback Bill Bentley (shoulder) were back on the practice field. Neither of those players practiced last week.

Defensive end Kyle Vanden Bosch and linebacker Stephen Tulloch, who have both been dealing with knee injuries, also practiced.

Also Monday, the Lions found room for new cornerback Drayton Florence on the 53-man roster by releasing safety Ricardo Silva. The team signed Florence on Sunday and he was on the field Monday. He’ll wear No. 31.

Silva was an undrafted free agent out of Hampton in 2011 and spent time on the Lions’ practice squad and active roster last season, recording three special teams tackles.

With the move Monday, the Lions head into this week’s regular season opener with four safeties on the roster – Louis Delmas, Erik Coleman, John Wendling and Amari Spievey.