After his 2011 season was cut short because of a concussion, the Lions have doubts as to whether Jahvid Best will be able to play again. Best missed most of the season following an Oct. 16 loss to the 49ers and was bothered by post-concussion problems the rest of the season. He also suffered a concussion during the preseason and had a scary head injury while at the University of California, Berkeley, but Best told the Detroit Free Press earlier this month that he's symptom free and "definitely" will be back next season. However, multiple people within the organization are concerned the second-year running back might not play football again, according to MLive.com.

Calvin Johnson has a year left on his contract, but he's interested in signing an extension with the Lions. "Yeah, definitely, we're going to see here -- soon," Johnson told ESPN's Jim Rome during an appearance on 'Rome is Burning.' "We're going to have some talks soon, and hopefully get things rolling." Johnson declined to say in the interview if he would prefer to resign with the Lions or go elsewhere.

Lions general manager Martin Mayhew has admitted that perhaps the team hasn't done enough to rein in defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh. Suh has nine personal fouls and four fines in first two NFL seasons. "It's funny how things go," Mayhew said in an appearance on 'The 2 Live Stews' show on 790-AM in Atlanta. "I think, early on, he had a couple of borderline sort of plays and, looking back on it, probably not enough people talked to him in those situations. And then when this thing happened, probably too many people talked to him. He had everybody -- the guy driving the bus to the games had an opinion on what Ndamukong needed to do. I got letters from every sports psychologist and counselor in the Detroit metro area. He had so much input, it was probably too much." Suh was ejected and suspended two games without pay after he stepped on the right arm of Packers offensive lineman Evan Dietrich-Smith in the third quarter of a 27-15 Lions loss. Mayhew said last week he talked with Suh about the incident, and while he wouldn't share details of their meeting. Suh had just two penalties and no personal fouls in the three games after his suspension; he had six penalties, including the disqualification and three more personal fouls, in Detroit's first 11 games. "Ndamukong's a very, very intelligent person, intelligent football player," Mayhew said. "He has a really solid foundation. Great family, great network of support around him. And he's going to come through this thing. He's actually come through it, as far as I've seen. He came back with a great attitude, played great down the stretch, and we're going to put this behind him and move forward next year."

During the 2010 offseason, the Lions signed Nate Burleson to a five-year, $25 million contract, including a reported $11 million in guaranteed money. "Nate had 73 catches this year - a career high for him - so he was very productive for us," said GM Martin Mayhew. "He's a really good, solid, move-the-chains type of guy. Great run after the catch. "He's been a great pick-up for us. He's worked out very well, and we're glad we have him."

The Lions will have 40 percent of their cap taken by three players, Calvin Johnson, Matthew Stafford and Ndamukong Suh. Between 2007 and 2010, the Lions drafted No. 1 overall once and twice were at No. 2. The combined 2012 cap numbers of those three players are going to be nearly $52 million. Johnson's cap number for 2012 is currently $22 million, though that could come down if he is signed to a long-term extension.

Falcons receiver Roddy White has made his fourth straight Pro Bowl roster. White was added to the NFC Pro Bowl team on Wednesday as a replacement for injured Lions star Calvin Johnson. Atlanta's leading pass-catcher had 100 catches for 1,296 yards and eight touchdowns this season. He led the NFC in receptions for the second straight year and finished second in the league. Johnson missed practice with an Achilles injury last week, but had 211 yards receiving with two touchdowns in Detroit's 45-28 loss at New Orleans on Saturday night in the playoffs.

Lions defensive end Cliff Avril will be a free agent this offseason. Avril hopes to remain with the club, but will be a coveted commodity after having a career season. "I'm preparing like I'm going to be here," Avril said. "I still got my stuff here."

Matthew Stafford will not be fined by the NFL for wearing a Major League Baseball hat during a pregame interview on Saturday. League spokesman Greg Aiello explained Saturday night via email to Pro Football Talk that the prohibition against unapproved headgear applies only to formal media availability and game-day interviews.

Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson and Vikings defensive end Jared Allen were the leading vote getters for The Associated Press 2011 NFL All-Pro Team. Johnson and Allen were each one vote shy of being a unanimous pick. "That's sweet," Johnson said. "That's one of the best honors you can have other than being a Super Bowl champion. To be an All-Pro is a tremendous honor." Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers made the team for the first time, easily beating Drew Brees of the Saints, 47½ to 2½. Rodgers led Green Bay to a league-best 15-1 record this season, after taking the Packers to the Super Bowl title last February. "I am a competitor," Rodgers said. "I care desperately about winning and doing everything I can to contribute. But personally, speaking for my own self, you learn exactly what you need to do to be able to balance the pressure from the outside with the pressure from within, that you put on yourself to be successful. Last year's run is really going to help all of us and our preparation through the week."

Lions receiver Calvin Johnson joined his teammates on the practice field Thursday for the first time this week ahead of Saturday night's playoff game at New Orleans. Johnson has said he was resting an Achilles tendon, declining to say which one was holding him out of workouts.