ALLEN PARK, Mich. (AP) -Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford didn't blame last weekend's poor performance on the absence of his four top receivers.

The No. 1 pick does think having them back will make his life easier.

Calvin Johnson (thumb), Bryant Johnson (ATV crash) and Dennis Northcutt (hand), as well as rookie tight end Brandon Pettigrew (thigh) all missed last Saturday's 27-10 loss at Cleveland. All four returned to the practice field this week.

``It's going to be great to have them back - you always want to have all of your weapons,'' Stafford said. ``But that's not an excuse for anything that happened against Cleveland. You need to be able to execute no matter who is on the field.''

Lions coach Jim Schwartz said he's hopeful all four will play Saturday against the Colts.

``That's a huge part of our offense,'' Schwartz said. ``Everyone knows what Calvin brings us, and we brought in Bryant Johnson and Dennis Northcutt to give us more options in the passing game, and then we drafted Brandon in the first round.''