Jason Fox wants to win starting job with Detroit Lions

ALLEN PARK - Detroit Lions tackle Jason Fox certainly hopes his teammate Jeff Backus returns healthy from his chest injury but, really, there's no reason for him to hurry back.

While Backus is sidelined, Fox is getting all the reps at left tackle with the No. 1 offense. That isn't expected to change much when the veterans are allowed to begin practicing on Thursday.

Regardless, Fox wants to get the most out of all the snaps he can.

"Absolutely. It's an opportunity to get reps with (the No. 1 offense) and I've got to take advantage of it and do the best I can,'' Fox said.

A fourth-round pick last year, Fox is finally healthy after two seasons of battling a sore knee. He played hurt in his final season at Miami and didn't play in the bowl game so he could have surgery.

"That whole year, I played injured and then I battled it last year,'' Fox said. "I told a couple of people that this is kind of a new feeling, it's been awhile since I've felt like this. I'm not trying to think about last year, this year is a new year and I'm just trying to improve every day and go out and compete.

"I'm feeling good. Now it's time to go out and get better every day and compete with these guys and, ultimately, win a spot.''


(mlive.com)