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Thornton has been suspended for the first six games of the regular season for violating the league's substance abuse policy, Tim Twentyman of the Lions' official site reports.
Thornton will be eligible to return to the active roster Oct. 16, which happens to be the beginning of the Lions' bye week. The reserve defensive lineman took 307 snaps on defense last season, racking up 19 tackles and one sack through 13 contests. With Thornton sidelined, the Lions may opt to bring in another defensive tackle to bolster the depth chart behind starters Haloti Ngata and A'Shawn Robinson. Thornton is allowed to take part in offseason practices and preseason games.
