ESPN NFL

ALLEN PARK, Mich. -- The Detroit Lions will have to wait at least one more week to get back their biggest defensive weapon, Shaun Rogers.

Pro Bowl defensive tackle Rogers, who has missed the last four games while serving a league-imposed substance-abuse suspension, will not be activated for the Thanksgiving Day game against Miami.

Rogers underwent arthroscopic knee surgery during his time away from the team, and hasn't recovered well enough to face former teammate Joey Harrington and the Dolphins.

"He's a big man and they had to clean his knee out pretty good," Lions coach Rod Marinelli said Tuesday. "He did some good rehab work today, and we're very hopeful about next week."

The news wasn't much better for Detroit's other starting defensive tackle, Shaun Cody. After missing several games with a dislocated toe, Cody tried to play in Sunday's loss at Arizona, but had to leave after aggravating the injury. He is doubtful for the Dolphins game.

Several key members of the offense, including tailback Kevin Jones, were listed as questionable on Tuesday's injury report, a designation that Marinelli has often used for players that did not play.

Marinelli didn't sound optimistic about Jones' chances for Thanksgiving, but stressed the injury could have been worse.

"It's not a high ankle sprain, just an ankle sprain," he said. "But you never know with ankles -- different players have different responses."

Jones is not only the team's best runner, but his 50 catches are second to Roy Williams among all Lions and second in the NFL among running backs. To make matters worse, Jones' backups, Shawn Bryson and Brian Calhoun, are out for the season with knee injuries.

If Jones can't play against the Dolphins, the Lions will use two players who they cut and then brought back, Aveion Cason and Arlen Harris.

Marinelli also announced Tuesday that little-used wide receiver Mike Williams will play against the Dolphins. Two receivers -- Eddie Drummond (concussion) and Devale Ellis (shoulder) -- are questionable, making room for Williams, the 2005 first-round pick who has not caught a pass in limited action this season.

Copyright 2006 by The Associated Press