ALLEN PARK Amani Oruwariye Jersey 2019 , Mich. (AP) — Kerryon Johnson was just a kid when his older siblings hit him with elbows while playing hoops.And his parents, both of whom played college basketball, did not swoop in to save their young son from the physical games.Sure, playing at Auburn and in the SEC did a lot to get the Detroit Lions‘ rookie running back ready for the NFL .Growing up in Huntsville, Alabama, though as the youngest of four athletic children did a lot to develop him, too.“My parents let it go because they knew I was being prepared for moments like this,” Johnson said Wednesday after a joint practice with the New York Giants.“When I look back at those times, I’m grateful. It taught me to be competitive and how to work hard and never give up.“I look back on those days and I’m grateful.”Detroit, meanwhile, is thankful it drafted Johnson in the second round.He had a run and a reception for 30-plus yards in his professional debut, albeit it a preseason game last week against the Oakland Raiders.While the Lions were encouraged by Johnson’s flashes of promise, and have been pleased by how well he has practiced, they are quick to pump the breaks to temper the enthusiasm about him.“I was excited to see him have a couple big plays and show off some of his natural ability,” Detroit coach Matt Patricia said. “But from an overall standpoint, we’ve a long way to go there.”Detroit’s running game can’t get much worse.Under former coach Jim Caldwell, the Lions ranked last in rushing offense in 2017 for the second time in three years.In the other two seasons with Caldwell Color Rush Amani Oruwariye Jersey , the team ranked No. 30 and No. 28 in the NFL on the ground offensively.Johnson won’t be expected to fix the lingering problem alone.Detroit selected Frank Ragnow 20th overall in the draft, counting on him to play alongside four returning starters to bolster the offensive line.Veteran running back LeGarrette Blount was signed early in free agency to likely lead a group that also includes Theo Riddick and Ameer Abdullah.“I’ve had a smooth start because I’ve got a great room of guys, who have really helped me make the transition,” Johnson said.“I owe my early success to them. They’ve helped me to develop a routine and have encouraged me to stick to it to keep my mind focused on the next day.“This is a long season. It feels like we’ve already played three games, but we’ve only played one preseason game.”Johnson said he goes to bed at 10:30 p.m., at the latest, so that he’s ready to wake up for 6 a.m. to tackle training camp.The grind his parents and siblings put him through while he was growing up got him ready to thrive now.His father, Kerry, owns and operates VSI Training in Alabama where he trains athletes. His mother, Natalie, is a home health nurse and she can keep him in line by simply saying, “Son,” with a certain look.His brother, Kerron, beat out future NBA star DeMarcus Cousins for Mr. Basketball in Alabama and went on to play in Europe. His sister, Nyla, played basketball at Faulkner University and another sister Cheap Amani Oruwariye Jersey , Kolanda, used her athletic skills to dance.“We raised Kerryon in a challenging household,” Kerry Johnson said in a telephone interview while driving to Detroit for an exhibition game against the Giants on Friday night.“Everyone in our family is competitive, and we pushed everyone to be competitive.”NOTES: Giants rookie RB Saquon Barkley was held out of practice for a second straight day with a strained left hamstring. Like his injured teammates, Barkley was in uniform minus shoulder pads. “Just because you don’t get the rep doesn’t mean you’re not responsible for seeing what happened and try to visualize what you’d do if you were out there,”Giants coach Pat Shurmur said. “As long as they can defend themselves and it’s not a lower leg injury of some sort or something where they need immediate attention, I think it’s important for them to be out there.” … The Lions lined up Graham Glasgow at guard a day after leaving practice with a left leg injury, and rookie Frank Ragnow was moved to center. DETROIT (AP) — Ndamukong Suh is looking forward to facing the Detroit Lions for the first time, giving him a chance to visit with friends and to dine at some new restaurants they have told him about."I love the city of Detroit," said Suh, who spent the first five years of his career with the Lions. "I spend my time in the offseason there. Got great people that I communicate with and see. Great business town. There's a lot of people that I consider mentors that are there."While Suh was quick to share his genuine affection for the Motor City, he chuckled when asked for his feelings about the franchise. "I'll refrain from my comments about the organization," he said.Detroit drafted Suh second overall eight years ago and gave him a $68 million deal with $40 million guaranteed , hoping he would lead the defense while Matthew Stafford and Calvin Johnson starred on offense.Suh was the only rookie to earn All-Pro honors in 2010 and he was an All-Pro two more times with the Lions. He helped Detroit end an 11-year postseason drought in 2011 and reach the playoffs again in 2014.Miami, though, was willing to give Suh much more than the Lions were in 2015. The Dolphins signed him to a six-year, $114 million deal with $60 million guaranteed Amani Oruwariye Jersey Womens , making him the highest-paid defensive player in NFL history at the time.Suh's stay in Miami didn't last long. He was cut earlier this year with three years left on his contract, freeing him up to sign a $14 million, one-year deal with the Rams to play alongside star defensive tackle Aaron Donald.Suh has fit in well, playing inside and on the edge for defensive coordinator Wade Philips."I pride myself on being able to play any position on the defensive line," said Suh, who has 34 tackles and 3½ sacks. "And, if I need to go play linebacker, I'm happy to do so. We're winning games, so that's most important to me."The 31-year-old Suh has not won a division title, but that can change as soon as Sunday. Los Angeles (10-1) can clinch the NFC West championship with a win over the slumping Lions (4-7) at Ford Field.Here's some things to watch:NEVER SATISFIEDWhile Suh enjoys his homecoming of sorts, Donald will remind the Lions what they're missing. Detroit drafted tight end Eric Ebron No. 10 overall in 2014, passing on a chance to take Donald. The Rams selected Donald No. 13 overall and he has become one of the league's best players. Donald has a NFL- and career-high 14½ sacks, surpassing the 11 he had last season when he was the Associated Press Defensive Player of the Year."The best part about Aaron is the first thing he'll say is that he can always improve," Rams coach Sean McVay said.RUN AROUNDDetroit's defense has had a dramatic turnaround against the run, becoming the league's only team to hold three straight opponents to fewer than 60 yards rushing this season.After ranking last in rushing defense earlier this year, the Lions are No. 14 and Damon "Snacks" Harrison seems to have a lot to do with the turnaround. Detroit acquired Harrison from the New York Giants for a fifth-round pick."The problem is that as the season goes on, it becomes more and more difficult to stop the run Amani Oruwariye Detroit Lions Jersey ," Lions coach Matt Patricia said."We obviously have another huge problem this week with the run game with the Rams. Todd Gurley is one of the best backs in the league."READY TO ROLLGurley has 1,043 yards rushing, trailing only Dallas' Ezekiel Elliott. He had a touchdown in 13 consecutive games, setting a franchise record, before not scoring Nov. 19 during the Rams' 54-51 win over Kansas City. He is expected to be healthy after having a minor ankle injury early against the Chiefs.SAY WHAT?Lions receiver Bruce Ellington gave a startling answer when asked if his hamstring was healthy."I don't know if it's fully recovered because they removed it," he said. "I don't have it anymore."Ellington had a severe injury that kept him out for all of 2016 and limited him earlier this season in Houston. Ellington said he had one of his hamstring muscles removed two years ago, following a procedure recommended by former Texans receiver Andre Johnson ."They say if you keep it, it's going to keep scarring up," Ellington recalled doctors telling him.The 5-foot-9 Ellington said he's explosive enough to dunk a basketball and to do his job with the Lions, who signed him after they traded Golden Tate to Philadelphia. He has ended up playing an even larger role because Marvin Jones is on injured reserve. Ellington has matched his career high with six catches in each of his two games in Detroit.HELP ON THE WAYDetroit is preparing to play against veteran cornerback Aqib Talib , who has been out since Week 3 with an ankle injury."They have great players on the defense, and are getting another great player back this week," Patricia said.