Lions DL star Suh still mum on future

ALLEN PARK, Mich. (AP) Ndamukong Suh stuck to his policy of not talking about his contract status and the free agency that awaits him at the end of the season.

''Focus on Buffalo,'' the Detroit defensive tackle said. ''I'm looking forward to playing against them, and it's as simple as that.''

Over the weekend, an ESPN report citing unidentified sources said Suh and the Lions are preparing for the 27-year-old star to leave after this season. The report said the idea of playing in the New York area appeals to him.

''I cannot address that just for the simple fact that I have not spoken to any reporter about it, or any reporters about supposedly what has come out,'' Suh said Wednesday.

Suh is in the final year of his contract. The Lions said at the start of training camp they were postponing contract talks with him until after the season, but the All-Pro hasn't seemed distracted on the field. Next up for Detroit is a home game against the Bills, who will start Kyle Orton at quarterback instead of EJ Manuel.

The Lions beat Buffalo 23-0 during the preseason, but that was before the Bills even signed Orton, who was initially brought in to be a backup to Manuel.

''It's obviously not the quarterback that we saw earlier in preseason, but we'll have the opportunity to make adjustments and changes to adapt to that situation,'' Suh said.

The Lions (3-1) are off to an impressive start this season, especially defensively. Suh is part of an imposing defensive line that also includes defensive tackle Nick Fairley, and Detroit is ranked No. 1 in the league in total defense.

But even that might not do as much for Suh's profile as a move to New York would. Suh was asked how much his business decisions can affect football decisions he will have to make.

''Football is football and business is business,'' he said.

And Suh says keeping those concerns separate isn't too difficult.

''I think as a professional no matter what, especially being a high-profile person or being a high-profile coach, whatever it may be, in a business that you have to more or less do so many different things at so many different times,'' Suh said. ''Being able to compartmentalize things is a part of the job, so if I wasn't good at it, or if I didn't have an ability to adapt to things and understand that's what I need to get done, I'd be struggling.''

Star receiver Calvin Johnson said the report about Suh hasn't been a big issue in the locker room.

''Not at all,'' Johnson said. ''I never heard of it.''

NOTES: Johnson did not practice Wednesday. He's been dealing with an ankle issue, and although he played in Sunday's victory over the New York Jets, he caught only two passes. Golden Tate caught eight passes for 116 yards. ''Almost half his yards came from yards after the catch, so that was big for us,'' Johnson said. ... The Lions signed RB George Winn off the practice squad, placed RB Montell Owens on injured reserve and signed RB William Powell to the practice squad. Owens has dealt with a hamstring injury this year, but coach Jim Caldwell was vague about the decision to put him on IR. ''Just one of those things that happens just in terms of numbers and injuries at other positions,'' Caldwell said. ''Therefore, you have to find a way to get guys up, add new guys to your squad. That was more so the issue.''

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