Last Updated: September 03. 2010 1:00AM Lions: Notebook Tim Twentyman / the Detroit New
Detroit — Running back DeDe Dorsey could ultimately be the victim of a numbers game when it comes to choosing the final running back spots on the 53-man roster.
But if Dorsey is cut, it won’t be for a lack of playmaking this preseason.
Dorsey rushed for 33 yards on seven carries Thursday and caught two passes for 59 yards, including a 34-yard reception that set up the Lions go-ahead touchdown in the fourth quarter.
“I felt like when I had the opportunity I tried to make some plays,” Dorsey said.
Dorsey entered the game as the team’s leading receiver with seven catches for 61 yards and its third leading rusher (50 yards).
Dorsey fumbled in two separate games, though.
“It’s not a habit I need to get into,” Dorsey said.
Detroit homecoming
Former Wayne State star running back Joique Bell made his first trip back to Detroit as a rookie with the Bills.
Bell, who said he had hundreds of friends and family buy tickets to the game, didn’t have the type of game he was hoping for.
He had just 10 yards rushing on five carries and returned two kickoffs for a total of 34 yards.
Just stay healthy
The most important goal for the Lions was to leave Ford Field as healthy as they arrived.
That mission wasn’t accomplished.
Sammie Hill , a defensive tackle, left the game in the first quarter because of an apparent neck injury. He was spotted later with an ice pack on his left neck/shoulder area.
And reserve defensive end Korey Bosworth had to be carted off the field early in the fourth quarter because of a left knee injury.
Making a case
Third-year linebacker Ashlee Palmer is battling for one of the final linebacker spots .
It’s unlikely the Lions will keep more than six or seven on the 53-man roster and that puts Palmer right on the bubble.
Palmer will ultimately know his fate at the league-mandated 6 p.m. Saturday deadline for teams to trim down to their final roster.
Palmer made a one-handed diving interception on a pass that was juggled and dropped by a Bills receiver at the Lions 47-yard line. He returned the ball to the Bills 14-yard line.
The play set up the Lions only points of the first half.
Sitting it out
The Lions held six starters out of the game: safeties Louis Delmas and C.C. Brown , running back Jahvid Best , middle linebacker DeAndre Levy , offensive tackle Jeff Backus and defensive tackle Corey Williams .
Levy (groin) and Brown (forearm) were the only two of the six not out for precautionary reasons.
Landon Johnson , who has played outside linebacker throughout training camp, started the game at middle linebacker in place of Levy.
The Lions also started two rookies at safety Randy Phillips at strong safety and Amari Spievey at free safety.
Corey Hilliard started at left tackle in place of Backus.
Extra points
Reserve cornerback Paul Pratt had a 102-yard interception return for a touchdown that gave the Lions a 28-16 lead midway through the third quarter.
“I saw one lineman coming but I said, ‘Ain’t no way he’s going to catch me,’” Pratt said of the return. “The only thing that was chasing me was my teammates.”
… Lions quarterback Drew Stanton was named the Player of the Game after leading the Lions on two scoring drives in the second half and finishing 5-of-13 passing for 94 yards and two touchdowns
Chris McCosky contributed.