Lions re-signed LT Jeff Backus to a two-year contract. Backus was a necessary re-signing for the Lions, who didn't have any in-house options to replace him. The 35-year-old has made a franchise-record 176 consecutive starts, but will head into next season coming off post season surgery and an increasingly broken-down body.

The Detroit Free Press expects free agent LT Jeff Backus back with the Lions on a short-term deal. Backus is 34 and recovering from a torn biceps, but could draw two- to three-year offers in a thin market for tackles. With no in-house replacement at the ready, the Lions are unlikely to let a player who's made a franchise-record 176 consecutive starts get away.

The Lions met with the player rep for free agent LT Jeff Backus at the NFL Scouting Combine. "We met at the Combine and had a positive discussion," said agent Pat Dye. "We'll probably be reconvening here in the near future and we'll see where it goes." The Lions want Backus back despite his age (35 before the season) and increasingly broken-down body. Backus may be targeting a late-career Chad Clifton kind of deal ($20 million over three years).

Lions president Tom Lewand indicated free agent LT Jeff Backus is recovering "incredibly well" from post-season surgery to repair a torn biceps muscle. Lewand termed it a "longer term recovery," but still expects Backus to be ready for training camp this summer. "Certainly he's a guy who is somebody we've had discussions about him returning," added Lewand.

Free agent LT Jeff Backus underwent surgery to repair his torn biceps muscle on Monday. Coach Jim Schwartz confirmed Backus will miss "a significant portion of time," and at age 34 he's no lock to be recovered before the start of training camp. The Lions would like to re-sign Backus, but this might finally give the front office enough incentive to pursue a long-term replacement in the draft.

The Detroit News believes re-signing impending free agent LT Jeff Backus is a priority for the Lions. The Lions have no in-house replacement to protect Matthew Stafford's blind side. Although his play has been uneven at times, Backus has started 176 straight games for the Lions. A short-term deal makes sense for both sides as long as the 34-year-old's biceps injury checks out.

Lions LT Jeff Backus said he felt a muscle "pop" in his biceps late in Saturday's season-ending loss to the Saints. Backus compared the feeling to his partially torn chest muscle over the summer. The 34-year-old has never missed a game in his 11-year career. There's no reason to believe the injury will keep him out into training camp. His Detroit future is up in the air, though, as an impending free agent.

Matched up with Vikings RE Jared Allen, Lions LT Jeff Backus allowed three sacks in Sunday's overtime win. He also put the Lions in a big hole on their final drive of regulation, committing back-to-back false start penalties to turn a 1st-and-10 at the Lions' 20 into a 1st-and-20 with 1:11 remaining. The poor game comes one week after Backus was beaten multiple times by Chiefs OLB Tamba Hali. If his struggles become so pronounced the Lions decide to make a change, Jason Fox would likely get the first shot at protecting Matthew Stafford's blindside.

Although the Lions offensive line has yet to give up a sack this season, Matthew Stafford was hit six times last week, including four shots by Chiefs OLB Tamba Hali. ESPN analyst Mark Schlereth found fault with LT Jeff Backus when breaking down film. "Don't let stats get in the way of facts - don't let them get in the way of your eyeballs," Schlereth said. "There still are some concerns with this team when it comes to pass protection, and I have concerns about their left tackle." Backus squares off against Vikings Pro Bowler Jared Allen this week.

Lions LT Jeff Backus (pectoral) is expected to make his preseason debut against the Patriots on Saturday. Backus has only been practicing since last Sunday after suffering a partially torn left pectoral muscle during the offseason. Although the Lions starters should see their most extensive action of the preseason this evening, Backus' snaps will likely be fairly limited with so little practice time under his belt.