ALLEN PARK -- Here are a few notes and observations from the Detroit Lions minicamp practice Tuesday:

-- The Lions worked out four free agents during the early stages of the practice. Multiple people in the organization declined to reveal the names of those players, but from a position standpoint there was a defensive end, tight end, running back and defensive back.

-- With Jeremy Kerley back in action after sitting the past couple weeks, and veteran Andre Roberts added to the fold, both receivers worked on punt returns, joining a group that also included Golden Tate, TJ Jones and Jace Billingsley.

-- George Winn, not Zach Zenner, was taking first-team reps at running back with Ameer Abdullah and Steven Ridley not practicing. Winn had a really nice jump cut in the backfield before bursting upfield, avoiding a defensive tackle that came crashing through the middle of the line.

-- First-round pick Taylor Decker continues to take all of his reps at left tackle, with Riley Reiff on the right side.

-- Glover Quin returned to practice after being excused the past two weeks of OTAs. He lined up alongside Rafael Bush, who has long been the expected front-runner for the starting safety job opposite Quin.

-- Defensive tackle Tyrunn Walker, still working his way back from last year's broken leg, participated in full team drills for the first time this offseason.

-- Last week, we talked a little bit about the ups and downs with rookie running back Dwayne Washington. Those were on display again the first day of minicamp when he fumbled after running into his offensive lineman. A few plays later, the long strider easily got the corner for a big gain on an outside run.

None of that athleticism will matter if he can't improve his ball security in a hurry.

-- Versatile rookie offensive lineman Joe Dahl was getting in work at guard on Tuesday. He mostly worked at tackle the practices open to media the past few weeks.

-- This morning, we posted an article about cornerback Nevin Lawson working to improve his footwork and technique during these non-contact practices. During seven-on-sevens, he stuck in Marvin Jones' back pocket through an out route, forcing a poor throw from Matthew Stafford, resulting in an incompletion.

-- Golden Tate made an incredible catch during full team work, adjusting for wildly underthrown Stafford pass that was off target due to heavy pass-rush pressure. Tate came back for the throw and was able to snatch if off his shoe tops while going to the ground.

-- Dan Orlovsky's deep ball accuracy was on point Tuesday. He connected with veteran Andre Caldwell for a touchdown between cornerback Alex Carter and safety Miles Killebrew in 7 on 7s and dropped another one into the breadbasket of Damian Copeland, who bobbled the would-be scoring strike.

-- Billingsley had a sharp practice. Operating in the short areas of the field, he showed some nice open-field quickness after the catch.

-- The team worked on punts today, rotating through various gunner/outside blocker combinations. Caldwell really stood out as a blocker. At long snapper, Don Muhlbach and Jimmy Landes alternated snaps.

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