After losing Ryan Broyles for the season, the Detroit Lions were in desperate need for help at the wide receiver position. Calvin Johnson is a beast in his own right, but depth was starting to become an issue. As the team comes off their bye week, they are getting a crucial member back that should help with a second-half run.
The Detroit Free Press is reporting that Nate Burleson has returned to practice after breaking his arm in a car accident. For those that need reminding, the receiver was attempting to save a pizza box as it slid off the passenger seat in September. Now he is back taking part in individual drills, but has yet to run plays with either the first or second team offense.
It is unclear whether or not Burleson will travel with the team to Chicago for the team's Week 10 matchup. Head coach Jim Schwartz remained coy on where exactly Burleson was in his training and how healthy he has been deemed.
"I'd caution reading too much into being out there and being back, but he is progressing well, and everybody's pleased with his progression," Schwartz said, via the Detroit Free Press. "We all know how tough a guy Nate is. If it was up to him, he probably wouldn't have missed one game, but there's only so much that you can do with healing bones and stuff. And I think the big thing with Nate is, when we do get him back - we're going to get him back - but we want to make sure that he's back for good. And to do that, we've got to avoid setbacks and stuff like that."
Prior to his injury, Burleson was leading the Lions with 239 yards off 19 catches in the first three games. He now has two metal plates in his arm. The receiver told reports that people can start referring to him as a robot....just as long as that robot makes catches.
"Once you guys start seeing me with some type of Robocop brace, then you'll know I'm really close. So just keep an eye out for that," Burleson said. "Once I got that on, that means I'm trying to get on the field and play in the game."
The return of Burleson will help Johnson out. The record-breaking receiver has faced plenty of double-teams over recent weeks even though he has yet to struggle with the added coverage.
