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.
