Lions quarterback Matt Stafford continues to work his way back into shape after undergoing surgery on his throwing shoulder. "Feelin good after throwing a lot yesterday," Stafford tweeted Saturday. The Lions can receive reports on Stafford's progress, but they aren't permitting to make contact with him during the lockout. "There's nothing he's had injury-wise his first two years that is going to affect him going forward," Lions coach Jim Schwartz said this week. "He knows that, we all know that. We (just) need to keep him on the field."

Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford has started throwing again, according to an ESPN.com report on Thursday. Stafford posted a message to his Twitter account indicating he felt good throwing in Athens, Ga., two months after having surgery on his right shoulder. He tweeted that he was heading to "rehab, lift and run" during the NFL lockout. He added: "Never know when the owners will let us back in to start playing."

Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford said Tuesday that he is recovering well from surgery on his throwing shoulder. He says he'll get together with tight end Brandon Pettigrew and wide receiver Calvin Johnson to workout when healthy. Stafford, who has missed 19 games because of injury during his first two NFL seasons, can't train at the Lions' facility or consult with the team's medical staff because of the lockout that has stifled football and related activities.

The NFL's competition committee will not establish a "Calvin Johnson rule," according to a league source. The committee will not change an offensive rule, which states that a player must maintain possession of the ball throughout a catch. The rule came under fire in Week 1 of the 2010 season when Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson's apparent game-winning touchdown catch against the Bears was overturned when he lost control of the ball after seemingly making a leaping catch and falling to the ground.

Lions president Tom Lewand refused to discuss tampering charges when grilled by reporters during a conference call on Saturday. Lewand refused to comment on whether the team has formally appealed NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell's determination on Feb. 18 that the Lions violated the league's anti-tampering policy by publicly commenting about their desire to acquire a player then under contract to the Chiefs. According to the Detroit Free Press, the player in question was safety Jarrad Page, whom the Chiefs traded to the Patriots last year.

The Lions have signed cornerback Nathan Vasher to a one-year contract. The agreement was reached before league business ceased on Thursday. Vasher, who signed as a free agent last September, made two big plays at the end of Detroit's Week 16 win over Miami.

Kevin Smith wasn't surprised when the Lions didn't tender him a contract. The running back just hopes the NFL labor deal gets done soon so he can find a new home. "I hope it goes through so I can move on," Smith said. "Until then, I'm just waiting." Detroit released linebacker Julian Peterson.