Notes: Lions switch Xavier Proctor to offensive line

The Detroit Lions have made another move to help the offensive line, and it's a curious one at that by converting Xavier Proctor from defensive tackle to offensive tackle.

Proctor, an undrafted free agent in 2013, spent the past two years on the practice squad as a defensive tackle. But he spent time on the Lions' offensive line scout team, and that prompted coaches to approach him about making the switch.

"The coaches pretty much called me upstairs and were like, 'You know, we feel like it would be better if you make the move,' " Proctor said today after his second organized team activity at the position. "And I was like, 'I feel like it would be better, too.' So we made the move."

Proctor does have experience on offense. He played offensive tackle in high school and was a reserve tight end during his redshirt year at North Carolina Central.

"I feel good," Proctor said. "It's definitely a lot to pick up, but being a defensive lineman I know a lot and I feel like I can use the information I know on defensive line and transfer it over to offensive line."

The Lions converted Mike Williams from a tight end to an offensive lineman last year. And when the offensive line dealt with numerous injuries last season, it prompted coaches to think about converting Proctor.

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"Every single time (an injury) happened there would always be a couple offensive coaches saying, 'You know what? I think that guy makes a pretty good lineman for us offensively,' " coach Jim Caldwell said. "So, we're giving him an opportunity there.

"This is a great time to do it, seeing what kind of growth we can get involved there positional for him here in the next couple of weeks. I think he's a willing guy. He wants to find a way to play in this league and I think he will."

After spending four years as a defensive tackle in college and two years learning the position in the NFL, Proctor did have to get used to the idea of leaving one position behind after six years.

"I'm definitely optimistic about it," he said, "but I just want to take it one day at a time and pick up on the fundamentals and try to take it from there."

Ameer is here: Running back Ameer Abdullah took part in his second OTA and first in front of reporters. The second-round draft pick looked fleet-footed and sure-handed at running back and also while returning kickoffs, which he did at Nebraska for four years.

Abdullah missed the first week of OTAs while he attended the annual NFLPA Rookie Premiere promotional event in Los Angeles. Abdullah, who got extra reps with Jeremy Ross not returning kicks and Joique Bell resting his surgically repaired knee and Achilles tendon, said he wants to be in great shape to put himself in the best position.

"Even though we don't have pads, it's still a little physical," he said. "So it's still football at the end of the day. The better condition I'm going to be in, the sooner I'm going to play, so I just push myself as hard as I can in practice to get in great condition so I can run out there."

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Under wraps: Cornerback Darius Slay was among several players who did not practice. Slay had both hands wrapped in bandages as he watched from the sidelines. He was not available for interviews.

"Got a few bruises that were self-inflicted," Caldwell said, "but nevertheless he's out for a couple days."

Roll call: Calvin Johnson and Haloti Ngata were not at practice, but Caldwell said their absences were not injury related.

Other players who did not practice were Jason Jones, Joique Bell, LaAdrian Waddle, Joseph Fauria and Greg Salas. Linebackers Stephen Tulloch and DeAndre Levy did not take part in team drills. Rookie cornerback Alex Carter is still not eligible to practice with the team because college graduation rules.

Cornerback Mohammed Seisay left practice early and was taken into the facility for evaluation after he was involved in a three-player collision while defending a deep pass.

Contact Carlos Monarrez: cmonarrez@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @cmonarrez.