Allen Park — Lions defensive coordinator Teryl Austin planned to speak to his family on FaceTime on Christmas.
For many Lions players and coaches, the holiday is just another day as the demanding NFL schedule requires them to work when others can relax.
Some teams try to work around Christmas, shifting practice schedules to give people the day off. But with the Lions’ recent Monday night game giving them a short week of preparation, Christmas was a work day this year, as it was last year under coach Jim Caldwell.
“It’s just another day,” Austin said.