Lions S Erik Coleman (leg, ankle) says he was ready to return by Week 13 last season. Coleman landed on injured reserve in Week 6. Coleman drew praise from coach Jim Schwartz after being a full participant in the Lions' offseason program. "Erik has had an outstanding offseason, an outstanding mini-camp, OTAs, everything else." Coleman will compete with Amari Spievey for Detroit's starting strong safety job in camp.

According to Lions coach Jim Schwartz, S Erik Coleman had an "excellent spring." Coleman is competing with Amari Spievey for the Lions' starting strong safety job after a leg injury limited him to four games in 2011. Coleman understands Spievey is the favorite. "Of course I would like to be the starter, but I also love playing special teams," Coleman said. "(I) want to win. So I'll do whatever it takes."

Lions S Erik Coleman is pushing Amari Spievey for a starting job opposite of Louis Delmas. Coleman missed most of the 2011 season due to a knee injury. Now 30 and eight pounds lighter, injuries to both Spievey and Delmas have allowed Coleman "a lot" of reps with the first-team defense. This competition figures to run well into August.

Updating a previous item, Lions S Erik Coleman did not undergo offseason knee surgery. It was an honest mistake by the Detroit News. Coleman did fracture his ankle in October, but that injury never required surgery. His health shouldn't be an issue going forward.

Lions S Erik Coleman is "coming off knee surgery," according to the Detroit News. This is the first we've heard of a knee procedure for Coleman. There's no word on the severity much less a timetable for recovery. We suspect it wasn't a serious surgery or the Lions wouldn't have re-signed Coleman a month ago.

Lions agreed to terms with S Erik Coleman on a one-year contract. Turning 30 in May, Coleman has just one start in the past two seasons. He'll provide insurance for Amari Spievey at strong safety. The signing may decrease the odds of the Lions signing free agent O.J. Atogwe after his upcoming visit.

Veteran S Erik Coleman hopes to be back with the Lions in 2012. Set to become a free agent, Coleman was limited to four games this season after breaking his leg in Week 4. Coleman has made just one start since the end of the 2009 season, and won't be high on the Lions' to-do list this winter.

Lions placed S Erik Coleman (ankle) on injured reserve, ending his season. Coleman hurt his ankle while covering a kickoff against the Cowboys in Week 4. The special teamer's season ends with two tackles.

Lions S Erik Coleman sprained his ankle in the third quarter of Sunday's win over the Cowboys and did not return. Coleman went down while covering a kick. Although X-rays came back negative, the Lions seem to fearing a high-ankle sprain. It's a concern with S Amari Spievey also suffering a hamstring injury yesterday.