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Detroit Lions start rookie CB Ennis Rakestraw's return-to-practice window
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- Detroit Lions start rookie CB Ennis Rakestraw's return-to-practice window
The Detroit Lions could be getting one of their injured defensive players back in the playoffs.
The Lions opened the 21-day practice window for rookie cornerback Ennis Rakestraw on Thursday.
The Lions held a light practice Thursday focused on end-of-game situations before taking a three-day break during their first-round playoff bye. They will host the lowest-seeded NFC wild-card winner in a divisional round playoff game next weekend at Ford Field.
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Rakestraw, a second-round pick from Missouri, has been out since late November with a hamstring injury. He has six tackles in eight games this season, playing primarily on special teams.
Lions coach Dan Campbell indicated Tuesday that Rakestraw was the only Lions player currently on IR with a realistic chance of returning this season.
He said cornerback Carlton Davis (broken jaw) and linebacker Derrick Barnes (torn MCL, PCL) won't return this season, and he referred to defensive end Aidan Hutchinson 's broken leg as "a season-ending injury," while allowing that "if anybody can come back from this, it would be Aidan is the best way to say it."
Detroit Lions cornerback Ennis Rakestraw Jr. (15) tackles Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jayden Reed (11) during the second half at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis. on Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024.
The Lions have 21 days to elevate Rakestraw to their 53-man roster or keep him on IR for the rest of the season.
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Dave Birkett is the author of the new book, " Detroit Lions : An Illustrated Timeline." Order your copy here. Contact him at dbirkett@freepress.com . Follow him on Bluesky, X and Instagram at @davebirkett.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Rookie CB Ennis Rakestraw (hamstring) returns to practice for Lions
