The Lions were the only team doing anything resembling football Thursday — in the business, that’s “organized team activities” — so there are a few notes to pass along out of Detroit.

It’s early, but several Lions in the long list of injured from last season are showing encouraging signs. Per Tom Kowalski of Mlive.com, QB Matthew Stafford (shoulder) participated in all drills, and TE Brandon Pettigrew and RB Kevin Smith, who both underwent late-season knee surgeries, did individual drills and “looked good.”

Smith, who’s recovering from a torn anterior cruciate ligament and is expected to share time with holdover Maurice Morris and rookie Jahvid Best, expressed optimism that he’ll be ready for training camp, according to John Niyo of the Detroit News.

Those are early, but good, signs for the Lions. According to Kowalski, the only two players not participating Thursday were SS Ko Simpson (microfracture surgery) and OT Gosder Cherilus (minor knee surgery).

Since we’re on the topic, here’s a schedule of the minicamps and OTAs around the league.

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