If the Lions are going to punch their ticket to the playoffs with a win tonight in Dallas, they'll have to do so without three key starters.
Center Travis Swanson, running back Theo Riddick and cornerback Darius Slay are inactive and won't play tonight against the Cowboys.
It will be the third game in a row both Swanson (concussion) and Riddick (wrist) have missed. Rookie Graham Glasgow is expected to make his third start at center, and Dwayne Washington at running back.
"You know, one of the things of our slogan is, 'We adapt better than anybody,' at least we try to," Lions head coach Jim Caldwell said this week.
"I mean you have to be ready to go and respond. Although I do think that familiarity oftentimes maybe helps in that area, just in communication, but I do think whoever we have to play with, I think they're going to be up for the task."
Slay injured his hamstring in last week's loss in New York and did not return to the game. He sat out practice all week and was doubtful to play coming in.
Slay missed two games with a hamstring injury earlier this year, and veteran Johnson Bademosi filled in for him. Bademosi could step in and do the same tonight.
The Lions activated second-year cornerback Alex Carter off the practice squad this week. Nevin Lawson, Bademosi, Asa Jackson and Carter are the Lions' four cornerbacks on the active roster tonight.
The Lions have also chosen to take five receivers into the game by activating TJ Jones. Detroit typically has four receivers active on gameday.
Joining Swanson, Riddick and Slay on the Lions' inactive list are: quarterback Jake Rudock, tackle Cornelius Lucas, running back Joique Bell and defensive tackle Khyri Thornton.
