The Lions are getting back to work after their bye week and they’re doing it with a player who has been out of action for a lot longer than a week.
Wide receiver Nate Burleson has returned to the field for the first time since breaking his arm in a car accident that happened when Burleson tried to keep a pizza box from sliding off the passenger seat in late September. Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press reports that Burleson took part in individual drills, but was not part of either the first or second team when the Lions moved into an installation period.
Birkett also reports that coach Jim Schwartz said after practice that it is too early to say whether or not Burleson will be available when the Lions travel to Chicago in Week 10.
The Lions could certainly use Burleson’s help on offense after losing Ryan Broyles for the rest of the season. Kris Durham has provided some solid complementary work to Calvin Johnson, but the team currently has no other healthy wideouts who have made a significant contribution on offense this season. Adding Burleson for the stretch run would likely boost Detroit’s chances of making their way to the playoffs.