ALLEN PARK -- After parking most of their defensive line in the garage to open camp, the Detroit Lions are about to take one of their new toys out for a test drive.

Mike Daniels said during an NFL Network interview he expects to participate in Detroit’s joint practices with Houston next week. The former Pro Bowler signed with the club on July 26 but has yet to be cleared for team or contact drills.

“I’ll be able to do some striking with the guys down there when we get to Houston," Daniels said. "It’s a process. Honestly, I could play (in the preseason opener) tomorrow, but it’s just a matter of being smart. Just continuing to strengthen everything, continue to get in shape and everything. So it’s just being smart. But I’ll be out there soon.”

The Lions are expected to have one of the league’s best defensive lines, but have yet to activate star defensive end Trey Flowers (PUP) or star defensive tackle Snacks Harrison (NFI) for training camp. Daniels has participated in some individual work, but has otherwise been brought along slowly since arriving from Green Bay.

Daniels spent the first seven years of his career with the Packers, where he became known as one of the best pass-rushing defensive tackles in the league. He racked up 29 sacks, a team record for an interior lineman, and made the Pro Bowl in 2017.

But he suffered a foot injury that cost him six games in 2018, then was released one day before reporting to camp this year. The move wasn’t necessarily shocking because of the money -- the Packers saved $8.3 million by moving on -- but it was for the timing.

Daniels said 13 teams called within an hour of his release, and he chose the Lions over everyone else because of his love for head coach Matt Patricia. The Lions also gave him a one-year deal that includes $7.8 million in guarantees and $9.1 million overall.

“He’s just a genius,” Daniels said on his first day in Lions camp. "He really is, man. He understands the game of football, he knows what it takes. So to be able to play for a coach like that means everything. It means everything.

“I’m really just trying to be restrained right now, because I’m so excited. If I could do a back flip right now, I’d do one. I’m really excited.”

It’s unclear why Daniels has missed so much practice after arriving in Detroit, but told NFL Network the foot is healthy and his fitness is not a concern.

“I’m ready to go,” he said. “I’m ready to go. But like I said, it’s just a matter of being smart. I’ve been through plenty of camps in my career, and not saying I don’t want to get the work, which is why I’ll be out there next week, but it’s just being smart. As you get older, you have to be smart. You can’t just beat yourself into submission every day, which is what I prefer to do.”