Ailing Detroit Lions left tackle Jeff Backus plans to be ready by the time organized team activities begin in two weeks, the 11-year veteran told the team's official website Friday.
Backus, who has never missed a start, tore his right biceps during the Lions' loss to the New Orleans Saints in the divisional round of the playoffs. He had surgery on the injury in January.
"The goal is to just get stronger, get my (pectoral muscles) stronger and my biceps stronger, and once I get into OTAs, be smart about things and see how it goes," said Backus, who has been rehabbing the injury at the Lions' training facility in Allen Park, Mich.
"I'm not in there doing some of the things the younger guys are doing (working out), but I think at this point in anyone's career ... their workout is a little bit different," Backus said.
The lineman doesn't know how much he will participate during OTAs, saying his goal is to be all healed by the time training camp begins.
"Coming off surgery, it's about working myself in," he added. "I feel great right now. There hasn't been any setbacks or limitations, it's just about getting stronger."
The Lions, who drafted Backus in the first round in 2001, selected his possible replacement, Iowa tackle Riley Reiff, in the first round of the NFL draft this year.
