Kyle

Vanden Bosch

Vanden Bosch is returning from ACL surgery and replaces Calvin Pace. He’ll start opposite Bertrand Berry.

The Cardinals are still plagued by injuries on a defensive line that badly needs improvement. Calvin Pace is recovering from a sports hernia while tackle Kenny King and end Fred Wakefield are recovering from wrist injuries. Bertrand Berry is the only sure-fire starter.

The Titans’ Pro Bowler had been unable to participate in workouts to this point.

As is WR Drew Bennett (knee). “They’re really at different stages right now, hopefully we’ll get guys back at 100 percent participation next week,” coach Jeff Fisher said.

Vanden Bosch lost no money, converting all but $925,000 of his $5 million base salary into a “signing” bonus. The contract restructuring will significantly increase his 2013 salary cap number, although 33-year-old Vanden Bosch may be in his final season with the Lions anyway. In 16 starts last season, Vanden Bosch registered eight sacks, 35 tackles, and four forced fumbles.

The Lions held Vanden Bosch out of Wednesday practices in 2011, and believe it was one of the main reasons he appeared in all 16 games for just the second time in four years. “We did the same thing this off-season and we’ll have a plan for training camp,” coach Jim Schwartz said. “He had one of the best years of his career last year and he means a lot to us and we need to keep him going.”

Vanden Bosch missed the last two preseason games and multiple practices, but promised he would have been active had it been the regular season. He’ll serve as a key cog in one of the NFL’s most intimidating defensive fronts.

Vanden Bosch, 34, was released by the Lions in early February. Shortly thereafter KVB said he had no plans to hang up the cleats, but the veteran hasn’t drawn a sniff of interest. Vanden Bosch would have to accept the veteran’s minimum to play in 2013.

Vanden Bosch, 34, has one year left on his deal, and it carries a $10.7 million cap hit. That’s far too much for an aging end who recorded just 3.5 sacks in 2012. The Detroit defense could look a lot different in 2013, as they have 12 players set for free agency and a couple others as potential cap casualties.

As the Free Press puts it, this is an “untenable” number for a defensive end that posted 3.5 sacks in 2012 and will turn 35 in November. At the very least, he’ll have to accept a massive pay cut. The Lions’ depth along the defensive line combined with their hairy salary cap situation could lead to KVB’s release.