Detroit starting middle linebacker DeAndre Levy, who has not practiced since injuring a groin muscle during the third preseason game last month, is optimistic he could return for the Lions' home opener Sunday against the Philadelphia Eagles, the Detroit Free Press reported Thursday.
"I think I'm pretty close," Levy told the newspaper Wednesday. "I won't know till the end of the week, but I plan on doing some stuff Thursday. We'll see though how it's feeling. But I feel close."
Landon Johnson started in Levy's place in Week 1 against the Chicago Bears.
Levy had 85 tackles, third most on the Lions, as a rookie in 2009.
