Alleviating any concerns that Lions receiver Calvin Johnson’s knee injury could linger through the season, Johnson participated in practice today.
That’s particularly noteworthy because Johnson often takes Wednesdays off during the week, just because the Lions’ coaching staff likes to keep him fresh for Sundays. The fact that he’s feeling good enough to work even on a day when the team would be happy to let him off suggests that the knee injury that caused him to miss Week Five is not an issue going forward.
Lions running back Joique Bell and cornerback Rashean Mathis both practiced as well, three days after they had to leave the game against the Browns with injuries. That suggests that both Bell and Mathis will be good to go on Sunday against the Bengals.
Also at practice was running back Montell Owens, who has been sidelined since the preseason with a knee injury. Getting Owens back could provide a boost to the Lions’ special teams, as Owens was a two-time special teams Pro Bowler with the Jaguars. Owens was placed on injured reserve with the return designation, so he will not be eligible to return for a game until after the Lions’ Week Eight bye.
Missing practice for the Lions were safety Louis Delmas, tackle Jason Fox, receiver Nate Burleson, tight end Tony Scheffler and running back Theo Riddick.