<p>The Detroit Lions might have to pay closer attention during Sunday's pregame introductions. With so many new faces in the lineup, they might not recognize each other.</p><p>Thanks to a well-timed bye week, Detroit (1-6) might get as many as five key players back from injuries in time to face the Atlanta Falcons (5-2).</p><p>The defense could be reunited with safety Kenoy Kennedy and linebackers Alex Lewis and Teddy Lehman, while offensive linemen Rex Tucker and Ross Verba should both start against Atlanta.</p><p>Kennedy might be the biggest addition. Detroit's leading tackler last season, his presence would give the Lions more experience against the dangers posed by Michael Vick. Kennedy has missed the past five games with a foot injury, forcing rookie Daniel Bullocks into the starting lineup.</p><p>"It seems like I've been out forever," Kennedy said Monday. "When you're hurt, it seems like everything slows down."</p><p>Kennedy got in some limited work before the team broke up for the bye, and plans to get ready to play this week.</p><p>"I did some 7-on-7 stuff and a few drills," he said. "Now I'm going to push it."</p><p>While Kennedy is chafing after sitting out for a month, Lehman hasn't played in a year. He missed the final nine games of last season with an ankle injury, and started this campaign on the Physically Unable to Perform list.</p><p>"I'm ready, there's no question about that," he said. "I'm excited about getting out there and helping my teammates again, but I have to be smart. You can't get into football shape by just running around, so this week is going to be about my conditioning."</p><p>Like Lehman, Lewis would provide speed against Vick, but he didn't sound as confident about his availability. After a strong rookie season, Lewis has only made it through an entire game once in the past two years, and has been out with a sprained knee since mid-September.</p><p>"We're going to have to wait and see," he said. "The bye was very important because we got the swelling out of it. It's getting close."</p><p>With Lehman and Lewis inching toward the active roster, coach Rod Marinelli will shift around the entire linebacking corps. Boss Bailey, who has been starting at middle linebacker, will shift to the outside in a rotation with Lewis and Ernie Sims, while Paris Lenon and Lehman will move inside.</p><p>"Boss will play the strong side. That's more of a natural position for him," Marinelli said.</p><p>Verba and Tucker were signed as free agents to bolster Detroit's offensive line, but haven't been healthy enough to do that. Tucker hasn't played since Sept. 17 because of a knee problem, while Verba has battled a recurring hamstring problem. He played briefly in the Sept. 24 game against the Packers but lasted less than a quarter.</p><p>"This time, I'm 100 percent," Verba said. "I tried to hurry back the last time, and you saw what happened. This time, I'm sure that the hamstring is ready."</p><p>Barring any setbacks, Marinelli said Verba would start at left guard and Tucker would be at right tackle against Atlanta. Tackle Jeff Backus and center Dominic Raiola would fill two of the other spots, with Barry Stokes, Rick DeMulling and Blaine Saipaia competing for the right-guard position.</p><p>"We should be in good shape," Marinelli said. "This is close to the group we wanted in training camp, except that we are missing Damien Woody."</p><p>The returning players will help the Lions on several fronts, Marinelli said.</p><p>"First, it creates some competition for uniforms on game day _ we haven't had that for a while," he said. "It's also going to help us tremendously in the kicking game, by giving us more speed."</p><p>NOTES: Woody was in the locker room on Monday, three weeks after a broken foot ended the veteran guard's season. "I finally got the cast off this weekend, but I've got a while to go," Woody said, indicating his crutches. ... The team released WR Az-Zahir Hakim on Monday. He had 17 catches for 147 yards in six games this season.</p>
