Lions HC Jim Schwartz insisted Thursday that Calvin Johnson has not merely been playing the role of decoy to allow quarterback Matthew Stafford to look elsewhere for open receivers.

"He's not a decoy at all," Schwartz said. "But if he's taken away, then you have to go other places. We never go in planning on using him as a decoy, but you also need to make smart decisions."

That means not forcing the ball to Johnson at the risk of an interception.

Lions receiver Calvin Johnson's production lately has been low. Johnson's 29 receiving yards Sunday against Minnesota matched a season low, and he has only one touchdown catch in the past five games.

Coach Jim Schwartz said Monday that quarterback Matthew Stafford could have been more aggressive in targeting Johnson more than four times Sunday.

"Yeah, maybe," Schwartz said. "I mean, we didn't do a very good job of protecting, and a lot of those times with Calvin, to get him shaken free, the quarterback would have had to hold the ball for a long time.

Lions QB Matthew Stafford, whose finger was injured in an Oct. 30 win over the Broncos, has practiced the past two days without gloves and the splint but admitted Wednesday he's still not 100%.

"It's getting there," he said.

In the good news Lions Dept: Matthew Stafford does not have gloves or a splint on his fractured right index finger.

Lions QB Matthew Stafford (right finger, probable) took full practice reps all week and is probable for Week 11.

Lions QB Matthew Stafford (right finger) took full practice reps again Thursday. Stafford has been throwing the ball well and is good to go for Week 11.

Lions QB Matthew Stafford (right finger) practiced fully Wednesday. Stafford took his usual reps and reportedly looked good doing it.

Lions HC Jim Schwartz insisted after the 37-13 loss to Chicago, and again Monday, that the reason for Matthew Stafford's four interceptions and 52% completion rate was the howling weather in the stadium, rather than the fractured index finger on his throwing hand.

"Is he 100%? No," Schwartz said Monday. "What affected him was the wind in this game."

"The weather is something that, if this guy's got a strong enough arm, it shouldn't be a huge factor," said CBS Sports analyst Rich Gannon, a former NFL MVP quarterback. "I mean, this guy can drive the ball and cut through wind.

"I think the finger is bothering him. When you start seeing guys wearing gloves and those kinds of things, it's something not normal for him. And you can tell it's bothering him a little bit."

Lions QB Matthew Stafford has a fractured index finger. He said it's "not bad."

Apparently Stafford's finger was broken heading into this week's game. Stafford threw four INTs, two of which were returned by the Bears for TDs. Stafford and the Lions claim the finger isn't a problem, but Stafford can't throw without a glove and his play has taken a hit. We'll monitor the situation to see how he progresses this week. Detroit plays at home against Carolina next week.

Lions QB Matthew Stafford (right finger, ankle, probable) took full practice reps all week and is probable for Week 10.