Aaron

Berry

Detroit was high on Green throughout the draft process and it sounds like he’ll enter a competition with No. 85 pick Dwight Bentley, No. 148 pick Chris Greenwood, and veteran Aaron Berry for a starting job. At 5'11/191, Green has 4.41 speed and is likely to end up contributing as no more than a dime back.

Berry missed the final three games of the regular season after dislocating his right shoulder. “Aaron was playing at a really, really high level when he got hurt,” coach Jim Schwartz said. It’s the same shoulder that required season-ending surgery back in 2010.

Coach Jim Schwartz lauded Berry unprompted a few times at the Combine, talking him up as a potential starter. The team’s confidence in Berry may be one reason why they didn’t meet Wright’s price in free agency.

Berry missed the final three games of 2011 after dislocating his shoulder, and underwent offseason surgery. “I knew I needed to put more weight on my upper body in order for me to play a whole season,” Berry said. Berry will compete with Jacob Lacey, third-round pick Dwight Bentley and perhaps even fifth-round pick Chris Greenwood to replace Eric Wright at right cornerback.

Berry normally functions as the Lions’ No. 3 corner. Brandon McDonald filled that role yesterday, with Don Carey active for the first time this season. Berry should be fine for Thursday’s showdown with the Packers.

Berry is questionable to return. The Lions’ defense already has two touchdowns off turnovers today.

Berry woke up not feeling well, leaving the Lions a little thin in the secondary. Otherwise, no surprises. Their other inactives: QB Drew Stanton, RB Jahvid Best, G Leonard Davis, DE Lawrence Jackson, DE Willie Young and P Ryan Donahue.

Berry and FS Louis Delmas (knee) both worked with the first-team nickel defense in Tuesday’s practice. The Lions desperately need the reinforcements after surrendering a franchise-record 480 yards to Matt Flynn in Week 17.

Chris Houston was at his customary left cornerback spot, with Jacob Lacey in the slot for nickel packages. Talented rookies Chris Greenwood and Dwight Bentley will push Berry at RCB, but he’s the veteran in-house favorite. Berry’s OTA participation also confirms he’s recovered from offseason shoulder surgery.

Berry has been working as a starter all offseason, and veteran Jacob Lacey is manning the slot in this week’s minicamp. Lacey and third-rounder Dwight Bentley could push Berry in camp, but the job is his to lose.