Lions wide receiver Titus Young has released a statement following his week-long absence from OTAs after he reportedly "sucker punched" teammate Louis Delmas. "My recent actions have not always been up to the standards the Lions expect or the standards that I expect from myself. I am truly sorry for those times when I didn't meet those standards," Young said. "My absence from the practice facility and the OTAs last week was necessary for both myself and the team. "The time away from the team afforded me the opportunity to reflect and come to the realization that by putting those incidents behind me I will be able to focus on becoming the best teammate and player that I can be."

It remains to be seen when the Lions will allow Titus Young back at the team's facility after he threw a "sucker punch" at teammate Louis Delmas. Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press writes that Young's attitude was wearing thin even before the fracas with Delmas. "By all accounts, he was apathetic when coaches weren't involved in workouts early this offseason, something that didn't sit well with Lions veterans," Birkett writes. "It's unclear if he'll be back this spring and how his petulance will be received once he returns, but he has the potential to be a dangerous No. 2 receiver."

Ndamukong Suh wants to become a vocal leader for the Lions as he enters his third professional season. The defensive tackle has a corner locker between two of Detroit's acknowledged voices in Matthew Stafford and Kyle Vanden Bosch. "If I see a guy that needs some help and just might need a word here or (there) just to understand a little bit better," Suh said. "As Coach uses some of us as starters or guys that have been here a couple years that are still young that say look at what he's doing and mimic that or whatever. "Then I'll say, 'Yeah, this is how I got to this position, this is how I got to my position to get to where Coach likes it.'"

Nick Fairley has been arrested in Alabama on charges of driving under the influence and attempting to elude police, his second arrest in his home state in two months. Alabama state troopers say the Lions defensive tackle passed a state trooper early Sunday morning at 100 mph in his Cadillac Escalade in unincorporated Mobile County. After initially refusing to stop for the trooper's emergency lights and siren, Fairley pulled over and seemed impaired. He was arrested without incident. Fairly was also cited for reckless driving, no proof of insurance and open container.

Cliff Avril is seeking a four-year deal worth more than $10 million annually, according to a report. The Lions placed their franchise tag on the defensive end this offseason and the two sides appear to be more than $2 million apart in contract talks.

It was reported early Monday that the Lions have barred Titus Young from the team's OTAs after an altercation with Louis Delmas. The Detroit News reports that Young "sucker punched" Delmas after the two exchanged words. Young is known for being hot-headed but his teammates didn't sound worried. "Things happen. They will be fine," defensive end Cliff Avril said. It's unclear exactly when the altercation took place.

Lions wide receiver Titus Young was missing from Monday's organized team activities for a troubling reason. Young skipped the session because of a fight that took place with safety Louis Delmas last week, according to a report. The Lions reportedly has told Young that he's not welcome at the team facility for the time being.

Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson provided some fireworks for fans before Friday night's game between the Tigers and Pirates at Comerica Park. On his fifth swing during a special batting practice session, Johnson hit a home run. The Georgia native grew up playing baseball, specifically center field. "I know more baseball history than I know football history," he said. "I've always been a Ken Griffey fan ... [Fred] McGriff was my dude. He had long arms and used to have his own baseball camp — I remember all of that." Johnson also threw out the first pitch at the game.

Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford feels the team should benefit from its continuity on the coaching staff. "We have the same coordinators the last three years and a lot of the same players, so from that standpoint, we don't have to put in the base offense or base defense. We're just tweaking and adding on right now," Stafford said. "And then obviously, I think we're better because of the draft picks we got. Every year, you add talent as a team through free agency and the draft, and we were able to do that again this year."

The Lions have drafted a slot receiver for the second-straight year, but Tony Scheffler isn't worried about his role. Scheffler frequently played in the slot in Detroit's two-tight end personnel groupings last season. "It's one of those things in the NFL where you learn to take care of your business and, as long as I do my job, I'm not really concerned with how he (Ryan Broyles) fits in," Scheffler said. "I'll help him out. We'll do a lot of similar stuff, so it's fun to have him. He's a great athlete and shoot, he's one of the best college wide receivers that ever played."