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ALLEN PARK, Mich. -- Detroit Lions tight end Eric Ebron returned to practice Tuesday for the first time since injuring his ankle on Aug. 6 during the franchise's mock game at Ford Field. Ebron was not spotted doing much during the limited viewing period of individual drills at the team's practice facility, but it is another step in the right direction for the tight end. He was spotted jogging to the Jugs machine and then catching passes on it last week. The No. 10 pick in the 2014 draft was carted off the field during that mock game, frustration clear on his face. He hasn't spoken to the media since the injury, declining multiple requests for comment. A source told ESPN Insider Adam Caplan on Tuesday morning that Ebron will play Week 1 against Indianapolis. His return to practice Tuesday would be another strong indicator of that. Ebron is slated to be Detroit's top tight end this fall. He had been having a strong camp leading up to the injury. Now entering his third season, he called this year a "make it or break it" year for him. He caught 47 passes for 537 yards and five touchdowns in 14 games last season.  The Lions need him back at tight end as Brandon Pettigrew (ACL) remains on the PUP list and Tim Wright (ACL) is out for the season on injured reserve. Lions coach Jim Caldwell declined to give a timeline on Pettigrew's return Tuesday, saying "we'll see" when asked if he'll start the season on the PUP list. "What can you expect in terms of when he'll be ready, we'll see," Caldwell said. "What do you expect in terms of what he can do, he's big, strong, he's proven he can block you on the run game. He can catch passes for you. He's caught a number of passes around here. He's effective in that area and he's a very good pass protector, so there's certainly a lot of things he can do for us." The Lions got some more good news in Tuesday's practice as receiver Golden Tate also returned to practice after sitting out both practices during the weekend.
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