Eric Ebron still hasn't given a clear timetable in his return from the ankle injury he suffered more than two weeks ago, but the third-year tight end is starting to show signs of improvement.
Ebron did not take part in Sunday's hour-long practice, but he was on the field walking through blocking drills for the first time since he hurt his ankle Aug. 6. After practice, he jogged across field and spent a few minutes catching balls from a Jugs machine.
Before Sunday, Ebron had not run or caught passes publicly since he was carted off Ford Field with an ankle injury he suffered in the Detroit Lions' mock game.
Asked after Thursday's preseason loss to the Cincinnati Bengals how close Ebron is to returning, Lions coach Jim Caldwell said only, "He's getting better."
Ebron finished fourth on the Lions with 47 catches for 537 yards last year and is expected to play a bigger role on offense this fall.
Brandon Pettigrew is on the physically unable to perform list, though like Ebron he hasn't been ruled out for the start of the season, and the Lions signed Andrew Quarless off the street last week to compete for the No. 3 tight end spot with Cole Wick, Adam Fuehne and Matthew Mulligan.
Ebron is expected to miss his third straight exhibition game Saturday when the Lions visit the Baltimore Ravens.
Golden Tate, Graham Glasgow, Michael Ola, Corey Robinson, Don Carey, Isaiah Johnson and Crezdon Butler also missed practice Sunday.
