WATCH: Stafford plays as Lions lose Davis, Ragnow to injuries and game 24-20 to Bills

DETROIT (AP) - Matthew Stafford got on the field for the first time in the preseason and left the game unscathed. Some teammates and opponents were not as fortunate. Stafford threw a go-ahead touchdown pass and the Buffalo Bills came back to beat the Detroit Lions 24-20 Friday night in a preseason game that became significant because key players on both teams were hurt.

Stafford, Lions host Bills

Baker Mayfield wants to play half of Cleveland's third exhibition game at Tampa Bay on Friday night. "But it's not my call," the quarterback said. It's up to coach Freddie Kitchens, who said he will use his starters some but seems inclined to keep them fresh and uninjured heading into the Sept. 8 opener with Tennessee. He said his decision will be made on "a...

Lions banking on QB Stafford with no backup plan

DETROIT (AP) - The Detroit Lions have leaned heavily on Matthew Stafford since selecting him No. 1 overall in the 2009 NFL draft. Stafford has started since he was a rookie, and after injuries stunted his first two seasons, the strong-armed quarterback has started every game for eight straight years.

WATCH: Miller in Houston wrapping up day one of Lions joint practices with the Texans

HOUSTON (AP) - Wednesday's joint practice between the Texans and Lions was a reunion for Houston coach Bill O'Brien and Detroit coach Matt Patricia. The two worked as assistants with the New England Patriots from 2007-11. O'Brien said the first of two practices between these teams before Saturday's preseason game ran like clockwork.

Lions put Kearse on injured reserve, sign QB Josh Johnson

ALLEN PARK, Mich. (AP) - Jermaine Kearse checked several boxes for the Detroit Lions when they brought in the wide receiver as a free agent during mini-camp in June. Kearse was familiar with new offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell's scheme, had the flexibility to play outside or in the slot, and added a veteran presence to a locker room that formerly had strong wide receiver leadership...

WATCH: Kearse hurt as Patriots rout Lions 31-3

DETROIT (AP) - If Jakobi Meyers wanted to, he could probably use his status as an undrafted rookie as motivation. Not need for that, the New England receiver says. The Patriots gave him an opportunity, and that's who he needs to impress.

Lions agree to extension with OL Joe Dahl through 2021

ALLEN PARK, Mich. (AP) - The Detroit Lions have agreed to a contract extension with offensive lineman Joe Dahl through 2021. A Lions spokesman confirmed the deal Wednesday. The 26-year-old Dahl has made four starts in his career with the Lions, including one last season. Dahl was drafted in the fifth round in 2016 by the Lions out of Washington State. He has played in 22 games in his three...

WATCH: Van Noy complimentary of Lions in return

ALLEN PARK, Mich. (AP) - Kyle Van Noy had plenty of nice things to say about his former team. Of course, it's been his own career that has taken off since he left Detroit.

Lions focused on forcing more turnovers in 2019

DETROIT (AP) - After a public practice at Ford Field, Detroit cornerback Darius Slay offered his assessment of the defense. His area of emphasis was telling. "We all got ball skills," he said. "I like that." The Lions enter the 2019 season with room for improvement across the board, and one stat that definitely could use a boost is takeaways. Detroit had only 14 last...

Lions activate Slay from NFI list

DETROIT (AP) - Darius Slay was activated from the active/non-football injury list prior to the Detroit Lions' practice Friday night at Ford Field. Slay had been on the NFI list since the start of camp, but the cornerback was on the field in uniform Friday.

WATCH: Hammond with Patricia, Thomas, Wiggins, Kearse and Strong from Tuesday's practice

ALLEN PARK, Mich. (AP) - The Detroit Lions have signed free agent defensive tackle Fredrick Jones and released wide receiver Brandon Reilly. The Lions announced the moves Tuesday. Jones spent some of this offseason with the New York Jets after going undrafted out of Florida State. He appeared in 46 games for the Seminoles, including 10 starts, and had 67 tackles and 2½ sacks.

Former Lions WR Tate suspended 4 games for fertility drug use

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) - New York Giants wide receiver Golden Tate has been suspended for four games for using a drug prescribed for fertility planning. The 10-year veteran, who signed with the Giants in March as a free agent, announced the suspension in a Twitter post Saturday. He said he plans to appeal the violation of the NFL's policy on performance enhancers and that he would...

WATCH: Detroit Lions Training Camp Special

FOX 2's Sports Director Dan Miller, Bob Wojnowski, Jamie Samuelsen & Jennifer Hammond bring you the latest at the start of Lions training camp.

WATCH: Lions begin training camp with everyone reporting

ALLEN PARK, Mich. (AP) - Darius Slay and Damon "Snacks" Harrison eliminated a potential distraction, reporting with the rest of the Detroit Lions for training camp. "Everybody's here," Lions defensive coordinator Paul Pasqualoni said Wednesday. "We had a good morning. A good start."