NOTEBOOK: Johnson Eligible Return Sunday Denver: Runner-up Kerryon Johnson is eligible to return for the Lions injured reserve Sunday in Denver, and the sophomore says he is ready if asked.

"I feel good, man," Johnson said Thursday. I've been practicing why. Three weeks now, I guess? It's been good I just try to go back to my former self, just work, being out there having something to do instead of sitting around watching everyone do things. It's very exciting, so I've been happy. "

Johnson hopes to be a spark in the last two weeks of the season and into the offseason with some confidence.

Speaking of the offseason, Johnson was asked on Auburn defensive tackle Derrick Brown, a likely pick in the top 10 in this year's 2020 NFL Draft.

Johnson Eligible Return Sunday Denver

The Lions (3-10-1) currently have the No. 1 pick. 5 in the draft order.

Johnson said he and Brown used to hate each other when Brown first arrived in Auburn.

"I was pretty rude to Derrick when he first arrived," Johnson recalled. "I called him Brownie because he was fat and soft like a baby ..."

Johnson, however, quickly learned how strong Brown really was and tried to avoid the great inside defender 6 feet 5 feet and 318 on the practice field.

"He's become an outstanding player. He's always been a good guy, despite the rudeness I went with him, and he's even gotten better," Johnson said. "I mean, you look at him, I mean, you talk. With him, you read about him, he was excellent, and when he returned, they all asked, 'What are you doing? Why aren't you (going to the NFL)?

"He came back to finish something that started and he finished, he got better, he kept this team together. He won some difficult games for these guys. He played excellent. Everything he was supposed to do he did, so I can't be happy for him anymore. "

How about Detroit adding another Auburn player like Brown to the Detroit locker room this offseason?

"Hi, I'm ready for that," he said. "He's a good, fantastic player, so I'm ready for that." Like many Auburn guys on the team we can have, I agree. "

HYDRATATION Concerns

He is not head coach Matt Patricia and the Detroit Lions are worried about Sunday at Mile High in Denver. It is actually dehydration.

"The biggest thing that affects you in Denver is really the dehydration," Patricia said Friday. "This is really the most important part of where they are. Your muscles, your everything, you are dehydrated long before, so your muscles get tired a little faster.

"Hydration and rest, and things like that, taking care of your body is probably the most important thing in that regard."

The Lions test the hydration level of players throughout the week and develop optimum performance and hydration plans accordingly.

"We have a couple of hydration protocols that we go through, depending on the guys," said Patricia. "Many of our guys sweat at different rates throughout the week. We monitor their weight from the perspective of how much they are losing, whether it's practical or just their overall hydration levels throughout the week.

"This is a real thing for us ... just to make sure we don't get out of here this morning, I'd say dehydrated, or not hydrated but less hydrated than normal.

NEW BEST PERSONNEL

In his 11th NFL season, 34-year-old wide receiver Danny Amendola needs just 49 yards to set a new career record for one yards, a mark he set his second NFL season in 2010. The Rookies at 689 yards.

Amendola has three 100-yard performances for the Lions this season and has been a constant threat in the slot for them. So what made you find the fountain of youth this season?

"I feel really, really good," Amendola said Friday. "I take good care of my body and I have learned a lot from what I may or may not have done or what others do or don't do. I just try to take everything I have learned over the years and apply it to my method and trying to play the best football he can. "

Amendola said he just tried to play a role in the Darrell Bevell offense, and he doesn't mind doing the dirty work inside. He's a guy that Patricia said would do anything because of the way he plays the game.

Amendola's engine never stops, allowing him to beat defenders a decade younger than himself. He's been good in the field, in the locker room and in the Lions' meeting room. And now he has the opportunity to set another personal yards season this week in Denver.