Dave Birkett

Detroit Free Press

Riley Reiff's knee injury is not considered serious, but the Detroit Lions are still planning to promote Rodney Austin from the practice squad this week.

Reiff, who's been the Lions' best offensive lineman this year, suffered a left knee injury on the first snap of Sunday's 34-9 loss to the New England Patriots.

His status for this week remains uncertain as the Lions host the Chicago Bears on a short week on Thanksgiving, and Lions coach Jim Caldwell didn't offer much in the way of an update on Reiff's status at his weekly press conference today.

If Reiff can't play Thursday, undrafted rookie Cornelius Lucas likely would start at left tackle in his place.

"We do have options, obviously," Caldwell said. "We'll find a way to get it done. We have some guys on our squad that we think are capable of making some adjustments for."

Austin, an interior lineman, has spent most of the past three seasons on the Lions' practice squad. He appeared in one game last year, and the Lions are paying him about double the minimum practice-squad salary this fall.

Starting right guard Larry Warford will miss his third straight game with a sprained knee Thursday, so Austin would be active as the Lions' seventh lineman if Reiff can't play.

Veteran backup Garrett Reynolds can play both guard and tackle, and rookie third-round pick Travis Swanson has started the last two games in Warford's place.

It's not yet clear how the Lions (7-4) will make room on their 53-man roster for Austin.

The Bears (5-6) have won two straight games and had a season-high five sacks last week against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.