Detroit Lions OLB Julian Okwara returns to practice from injured reserve
Detroit Lions outside linebacker Julian Okwara returned to practice Monday, starting his 21-day practice window to return from injured reserve.
Okwara injured his arm in the Lions' preseason finale against the Carolina Panthers and spent the first four weeks of the regular season on IR.
Okwara, 25, was considered on the roster bubble at the time of his injury, but could earn a backup role once ready for game action.
Charles Harris remains the starting strongside linebacker, but backup James Houston broke his fibula in the Lions' Week 2 loss to the Seattle Seahawks and could miss the rest of the year. The Lions have used Jack Campbell and Derrick Barnes in a pass rushing role at outside linebacker on some occasions, with Campbell seeing time in both base and sub packages.
Okwara has never played more than 13 games in a season because of injury. He had two sacks in 10 games last season and a career-high five sacks in 2021. He was the No. 67 overall pick by the Lions in 2020.
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The Lions have until Oct. 23 to activate Okwara to their 53-man roster, cut him or put him on IR for the rest of the season.
The Lions also re-signed receiver Trey Quinn to the practice squad Monday, and received a roster exemption for Jameson Williams in his return from suspension. Williams could make his season debut Sunday against the Carolina Panthers.
Contact Dave Birkett at dbirkett@freepress.com. Follow him @davebirkett.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Lions OLB Julian Okwara returns to practice after IR stint
