Allen Park — Slowly but surely, the wounded are walking back on to the playing field for the Lions.
Back at practice Wednesday were cornerback Chris Houston, who missed two games with a knee injury; running back Kevin Smith, who has been battling an ankle sprain; and defensive tackle Nick Fairley, who missed last Sunday with a foot injury.
Houston and Fairley went through the individual drills, but it is unknown whether they were full participants the rest of the way. Smith, who appeared to be moving well, worked on the side with a trainer during position drills.
Still not on the practice field were safety Louis Delmas, out the last two weeks with a knee injury; defensive end Lawrence Jackson, out the last four weeks with a thigh injury; outside linebacker Justin Durant, who has a hamstring injury; cornerback Eric Wright, who injured a hamstring Sunday; and cornerback Aaron Berry, who injured his shoulder last Sunday.
Lions coach Jim Schwartz reiterated Monday that none of those players were facing season-ending injuries.
“They’re all going to get back, it’s just a question of when,” he said. “It’s still too early to tell for this week.”
Defensive end Kyle Vanden Bosch took his normal Wednesday rest day.