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One thing you can count on with the Detroit Lions is that they are never, ever boring. Follow the latest news including injuries, roster moves and more here daily from Oakland Press beat writer Paula Pasche. Plus you'll find regular commentary about the team.

12/23/2014

Detroit Lions — Dominic Raiola's suspension upheld


Dominic Raiola’s one-game suspension was upheld after an NFL appeal hearing on Tuesday.

The veteran Detroit Lions center will miss Sunday’s key game at Green Bay, snapping his 99-game starting streak. 
Raiola stomped on Chicago’s Ego Ferguson in the win over the Bears on Sunday. He was not penalized for the play.

Rookie Travis Swanson, who started four games this season for an injured Larry Warford at right guard, will likely start for Raiola.

Packers coach Mike McCarthy said with Raiola out, he’ll be watching the way the line interacts with each other.

“Their guards have been steady for those guys, more than steady, as far as playing, you know, they got some new faces on the O-line since the last time we played them,’’ McCarthy said in a conference call. “Those are the types of things we’re paying close attention to and just getting ready for their whole line.”

McCarthy said the Packers are familiar with Swanson who they liked coming out of the draft. The Lions drafted him in the third round out of Arkansas.

“He’s a good football player. His size, he looks like he’s definitely in control. I don’t think the scheme or the load of running a multiple personnel offense, I think he definitely fits with what they’re trying to do,’’ McCarthy said. 

“I think the thing you have to really look at is and that’s what we have, we’ve done it. You look at the number of snaps he’s played in their OT packages and the fact that your back-up center is out there playing the tight end position, I think says a lot about him,’’ McCarthy added.

Coach Jim Caldwell said on Monday that he believed Raiola when he said it was inadvertent, although after watching film Caldwell could see both sides.

The Packers practiced on Tuesday and will take Christmas day off.

The Lions had Tuesday off which is the normal routine and will practice Thursday in the late afternoon. Coach Jim Caldwell met with the leadership council before deciding whether to practice on Christmas day.

Kickoff is 4:25 p.m. on Sunday.





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