Lions QB Stafford is back and DT Williams is out

Starting defensive tackle Corey Williams had knee surgery this week that rules him out for Sunday's game against the Minnesota Vikings.

"He'll be week to week," Lions coach Jim Schwartz said.

Barring a surprising setback, Stafford appears healthy enough to play in Week 4.

Stafford joined teammates on the field Thursday morning, a day after sitting out with an injured right hip. Stafford hurt his hip last week in practice and aggravated it in a loss to Tennessee and left the game.

"I feel better than I did yesterday," he said after practice. "We'll see how it goes. That's my story, and I'm sticking to it."

The No. 1 overall pick in the 2009 NFL draft bounced back last year from two injury-riddled seasons by throwing for 5,000-plus yards, 41 touchdowns and 16 interceptions, helping Detroit end an 11-year postseason drought.

It appears Stafford's full assortment of receiving options will be available against Minnesota.

Tight end Tony Scheffler practiced Thursday after being held out the previous day and missing the last game with a calf injury. Receiver Titus Young, who caught a TD pass that sent last week's loss at Tennessee into overtime, also practiced following a day of rest for his knee injury.