Morning Lions Links for Friday 9-18-15

Lions Articles:

National Media:

Injury risk won't keep Lions from using Golden Tate as punt returner:   http://espn.go.com/blog/detroit-lions/post/_/id/18891/injury-risk-wont-keep-detroit-lions-from-using-golden-tate-at-punt-returner

Lions OC: No clue Stafford ailing when play called:   http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/13677729/joe-lombardi-know-matthew-stafford-detroit-lions-was-hurt-called-passing-play

Darius Slay would like to hunt zombies on 'The Walking Dead':   http://espn.go.com/blog/detroit-lions/post/_/id/18883/darius-slay-would-like-to-hunt-zombies-on-the-walking-dead

QB Index: Peyton falls in latest rankings (Stafford is ranked 13):   http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000532416/article/qb-index-unfamiliar-peyton-manning-sights

Five rookies needing to bounce back in NFL's Week 2 (G Laken Tomlinson, Detroit Lions: Pro Football Focus ranked Detroit’s first-round pick as the 28th best left guard and 64th overall guard after Week 1, an illustration of the struggles Tomlinson worked through in San Diego. He allowed a hit and a hurry on quarterback Matthew Stafford, and he made too many simple errors as a run-blocker. The Lions drafted the former Duke star to help an offensive line that played poorly for most of last season. It looks like it will take some time before Tomlinson is able to assist in Detroit’s revival up front.):   http://www.foxsports.com/nfl/story/jameis-winston-nelson-agholor-rookies-who-must-rebound-week-2-091715

Local Media:

PRACTICE REPORT: Ngata and Tate return:   http://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-insider-short/article-1/PRACTICE-REPORT-Ngata-and-Tate-return/f398e6d2-a1c4-48b1-bad6-71e9ebcd4d72

NOTEBOOK: Issues correctable; Austin likes his defense:   http://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-insider/article-1/NOTEBOOK-Issues-correctable-Austin-likes-his-defense/3a0cf434-ba3a-49c8-9c16-ea947027ad02

10 takeaways from Austin & Lombardi:   http://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-insider/article-1/10-takeaways-from-Austin--Lombardi/2ca31990-a224-4e62-a8fa-ca3c46aace10

Lions don't believe offensive play-calling is an issue:   http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/09/17/lions-dont-believe-offensive-play-calling-issue/72369974/

Tulloch's poor play not due to knee, Lions say:   http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/09/17/detroit-lions-stephen-tulloch-acl/32571555/

Tate, Ngata return to Lions practice; Levy still out:   http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/09/17/tate-ngata-return-lions-practice-levy-still/32568263/

Caldwell: Tate’s injury won’t affect how he’s used:   http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/09/17/caldwell-tates-injury-affect-used/32561705/

Chargers hit left Lions’ Stafford with numbness in arm:   http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/09/17/chargers-hit-left-lions-stafford-numbness-arm/32559791/

Lions working to correct problems at linebacker:   http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/09/17/lions-working-correct-problems-linebacker/72366254/

Darryl Tapp’s birthday turns into a whodunit:   http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/09/17/darryl-tapps-birthday-turns-whodunit/32573575/

Lions' DeAndre Levy, Brandon Pettigrew miss practice again, might not play against Vikings:   http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/09/lions_deandre_levy_brandon_pet.html

Detroit Lions plan to continue using Golden Tate on punt returns despite injury scare:   http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/09/detroit_lions_golden_tate_punt.html

Joe Lombardi on Calvin Johnson's 4 targets: 'I don't think it's an issue':   http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/09/joe_lombardi_on_calvin_johnson.html

Joe Lombardi wasn't informed that Lions QB Matthew Stafford had numb fingers before pick:   http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/09/lions_matthew_stafford_had_num.html

Detroit Lions put emphasis on getting rookie CB Quandre Diggs work in season opener:   http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/09/detroit_lions_quandre_diggs.html

First look: Vikings' Adrian Peterson looks to bounce back after being 'embarrassed' by 49ers:   http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2015/09/first_look_vikings_adrian_pete.html

Detroit Lions notes: Matthew Stafford’s arm numbness; third down woes:   http://www.theoaklandpress.com/sports/20150917/detroit-lions-notes-matthew-staffords-arm-numbness-third-down-woes

Detroit Lions — Five things to know about the defense:   http://www.theoaklandpress.com/sports/20150917/detroit-lions-x2014-five-things-to-know-about-the-defense

Teddy Bridgewater Provides Own Unique Challenge For Lions' Defense:   http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2015/09/17/teddy-bridgewater-provides-own-unique-challenge-for-lions-defense/

Articles from Opposing Team's Media:

Ticketmaster Hot Matchup: Xavier Rhodes vs. Calvin Johnson:   http://www.vikings.com/news/hot-matchup/article-1/Ticketmaster-Hot-Matchup-Xavier-Rhodes-vs-Calvin-Johnson/29a1cc7f-7073-4451-b770-21f4b4901935

Peterson eager to push 'reset button,' torment Detroit:   http://www.vikings.com/news/lunch-break/article-1/Lunch-Break-917-Keep-Teddy-Clean-is-OLs-Rallying-Cry-vs-Detroit/bc5f51c6-c5bc-484a-b685-203e9d7f0907

Vikings Roundup, 9/17: Peterson Plans Patience, Quick Read and Response:   http://www.vikings.com/news/article-1/Vikings-Roundup-917-Peterson-Plans-Patience-Quick-Read--Response/f42bec4c-7523-414d-9420-9159182c2f0b

If asked, Xavier Rhodes ready to shadow Calvin Johnson again:   http://espn.go.com/blog/minnesota-vikings/post/_/id/15362/if-asked-xavier-rhodes-ready-to-shadow-calvin-johnson-again

Vikings defensive end Everson Griffen not worried his prediction of victory could fire up Lions:   http://blogs.twincities.com/vikings/2015/09/17/vikings-defensive-end-everson-griffen-not-worried-predicting-victory-firing-lions/

Vikings coaches unified in 'moving on to Detroit':   http://www.startribune.com/vikings-coaches-unified-in-moving-on-to-detroit/328088921/

Video - Vensel: Are the Lions an even tougher test?:   http://video.startribune.com/vensel-are-the-lions-an-even-tougher-test/327971811/

Previews and Predictions:

Week 2:   http://captainbluelionslinks.blogspot.com/2015/09/week-2-previews-and-predictions.html

Video:

Local Media:

Caldwell on the team's health:   http://www.detroitlions.com/media-center/videos/Caldwell-on-the-teams-health/7368f77b-158f-4f35-bfa7-635c7d108269

Lombardi on balancing the offense:   http://www.detroitlions.com/media-center/videos/Lombardi-on-balancing-the-offense/24807155-67e6-4c85-afbc-4eb6fd704177

Austin on the defense's performance in Week 1:   http://www.detroitlions.com/media-center/videos/Austin-on-the-defenses-performance-in-Week-1/bd152425-de87-4a2a-8a1b-a109f5fe96b5

Tate on his injury:   http://www.detroitlions.com/media-center/videos/Tate-on-his-injury/b32e1602-8396-4dab-9149-e9dea1b2d1fe

Tate on his engagement:   http://www.detroitlions.com/media-center/videos/Tate-on-his-engagement/4e153458-b147-4678-9305-447709012855

Whitehead on the defense:   http://www.detroitlions.com/media-center/videos/Whitehead-on-the-defense/179843ff-ce25-4895-9d52-84f4863794ae

Tate & Lombardi: Numbness led to Stafford's pick:   http://www.detroitlions.com/media-center/videos/Tate--Lombardi-Numbness-led-to-Staffords-pick/97ed5d57-b668-4cee-8dcf-54beba4a3b85

Watch Detroit Lions reporters discuss impact of QB Matthew Stafford playing through injury:   http://videos.mlive.com/mlive/2015/09/watch_detroit_lions_discuss_th.html