lot of things." The Raptors, who won their pre-s

DETROIT -- Detroit Lions linebacker Travis Lewis was suspended Tuesday for the final four games of the regular season for violating the NFLs policy on performance-enhancing substances. The 25-year-old Lewis is in his second season after being drafted in the seventh round in 2012. He has played 25 games for Detroit, with no starts, and his contributions have been mostly on special teams. Lewis is eligible to return Dec. 30, one day after Detroits regular-season finale against Minnesota. "All NFL players know they are responsible for their actions, and they also know there are consequences when their actions are not consistent with league policy," Lions general manager Martin Mayhew said. "While we are disappointed that Travis violated league policy and will miss the next four games, we expect that Travis will learn from this experience and not repeat it." In a statement released by the team, Lewis apologized to his coaches, teammates, fans and team. "I have let my team down and theres nothing worse than that," he said. "I will not make the same mistake again. I look forward to returning to the team after I serve my suspension." To fill the roster spot, the Lions signed linebacker Julian Stanford. He played for the Jacksonville Jaguars last season. The Lions are 7-5 and have what is in effect a two-game lead in the NFC North after beating Green Bay 40-10 on Thanksgiving and the Chicago Bears lost to Minnesota over the weekend. They will face the Eagles, also 7-5, on Sunday. "Were really not trying to look too far into the future. Our destiny is on Sunday," wide receiver Nate Burleson said Tuesday. "Whats most important is getting ready for a good Philadelphia team because theyre playing on a high level." Detroits win over Green Bay came after two losses, at Pittsburgh and against Tampa Bay at home. "I dont think we necessarily started looking ahead but in the flow of those games," Burleson said. "We kind of lost our focus and fire to finish." Detroit turned the ball over five times in the 24-21 loss to Tampa Bay on Nov. 24, and even in their win over the Packers last Thursday, the Lions had four more turnovers. "On the offensive side of the football, we just need to take better care of the football," quarterback Matthew Stafford. "If we can eliminate that, I feel real good about where we are." Coach Jim Schwartz said his team needs to take better care of the ball, but turnovers are a byproduct of his teams offence. "Part of that (turnovers) is being aggressive and pushing the ball down the field," he said. "There is some risk/reward in pushing the ball down the field. Some things we can do better in preventing turnovers." Philadelphia quarterback Nick Foles has thrown 19 touchdown passes without an interception since taking over as the starter. "Hes been a good decision type guy. Not making mistakes and keeping his team in the game," Lions safety Glover Quin said. Schwartz said that despite Foles numbers the key to slowing down the Philadelphia offence will be limiting its running game, particularly running back LeSean McCoy. NOTES: Lions veteran kicker David Akers has struggled at times this season and missed a short field goal against Green Bay on Thursday. The team invited some kickers in for a workout on Tuesday after practice but Schwartz said that had nothing to do with Akers. "Were just trying to be proactive and be ready for anything that might happen," Schwartz said. .. WR Calvin Johnson and S Louis Delmas didnt practice on Tuesday ... The Lions signed CB Akwasi Owusu-Ansah to the teams practice squad. Owusu-Ansah played at Indiana (Pa.) in college. Cheap NFL Jerseys China . -- Oakland Athletics third baseman Scott Sizemore has undergone surgery on his left knee to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament. NFL Jerseys China . According to Dave Stubbs of The Montreal Gazette, preliminary talks have begun between Markov - an unrestricted free agent this summer - and general manager Marc Bergevin. https://www.chinajerseysnfl.us/ . Neither player was available Saturday for the Knicks 107-98 loss in Atlanta. "Were going in a different direction and weve got to figure out another spot or two for our ballclub," coach Mike Woodson said before the game. Nike NFL Jerseys Outlet . New York then missed its next six shots and scored only two points the rest of the night. The Los Angeles Clippers defence and the Knicks general ineptitude both played a role in the unsurprising finish to a meeting of two teams headed in opposite directions. Nike NFL Jerseys Cheap . According to the Globe and Mail, a decision between the NHL and the Players Association should come within the six months. "I can tell you, (a decision) shouldnt take all that long," NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly told the Globe and Mail.TORONTO -- Rudy Gay launched a long lob to a soaring DeMar DeRozan, who finished with huge one-handed dunk early in the third quarter Wednesday. The Toronto Raptors dropped a 101-89 pre-season decision to the Minnesota Timberwolves, but the highlight-reel connection between the two athletic Raptors was perhaps a promise of more to come for the two whove now had the benefit of some time playing together. "Its going good, I know where his sweet spots are, and vice versa," said DeRozan, who topped Toronto (1-1) with 17 points. "Were just trying to put it together, especially when we need to get a bucket, and be aggressive, and get other teams in the penalty. Thats one thing were trying to do." Gay finished with 11 points. "Were trying to get in the rhythm of the offence, being aggressive, trying to create for others, trying to get that down pat," DeRozan said. New Raptor Tyler Hansbrough had nine points and seven rebounds, while Jonas Valanciunas had nine points and five boards and Kyle Lowry had eight points to go with four assists. Kevin Love led the Timberwolves with 20 points and nine rebounds, while Nikola Pekovic had 12 points and eight boards and J.J. Barea added 12 points. Its a new season under a new general manager in Masai Ujiri, but there is stability in the Raptors starting five that didnt exist at this time last year. All five are returnees compared to a year ago when three of the starting five were newcomers. Added to that, Gay was acquired during the mid-season trade that sent Jose Calderon to Detroit, and had to learn on the job without the benefit of training camp or pre-season. Together, DeRozan and Gay can open up space for each other, and pose a huge threat to opponents defences, who have to decide whos the more important player to focus on. Apart from the alley-oop, Wednesdays game at the Air Canada Centre was typical pre-season, not a pretty performance for either team, featuring mis-timed alley--oops and sloppy turnovers.dddddddddddd "Its pre-season," coach Dwane Casey said. "I dont think you can talk to a coach in the NBA now that is where they want to be. We are definitely not where we want to be defensively." Valanciunas said it was a "bad effort on defence tonight." "We still have time and a lot of things to fix and were going to start tomorrow," he said. The Raptors sophomore centre, who was beaten up by the leagues top centres early in his rookie campaign, had some trouble with Minnesotas centre Pekovic on Wednesday. "Hes a really good player, and its not easy to go up against him," Valanciunas said. "Its easier than last year, but I still have to fix a lot of things." The Raptors, who won their pre-season opener 97-89 over the Celtics in Boston on Monday, trailed the Timberwolves 29-22 after a sloppy first quarter. New Raptor Steve Novak drained three three-pointers in the second to help Toronto take a 59-55 lead into the dressing room at halftime. Ronny Turiaf led the TWolves with seven points in a third quarter that saw the visitors regain the lead, up 83-75 with a quarter left. Casey went with mostly newcomers down the stretch as he continues to get a feel for what they have to offer. Toronto next hosts former Raptors No. 1 draft pick Andrea Bargnani and the New York Knicks on Friday. They open the regular season at home against the Celtics on Oct. 30. Notably absent on the night was The Raptor, the teams much-beloved mascot, whos out for the season after rupturing his Achilles tendon. Casey said he called The Raptor after hearing of his injury, which required surgery. "I was disappointed, my daughter cried, she was upset," Casey said. "(The Raptor) is a good man, but hell bounce back, hes in good hands with the physicians. The Raptor will be back." The Raptors will hire a replacement for the man under the costume, whos been with the team since Day 1. ' ' '