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When the week started, Lions running back Reggie Bush was certain that he’d play against the Falcons on Sunday despite leaving last week’s game because of an ankle injury.

That prediction is now looking overly optimistic. Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press reports that Bush is not practicing in London on Friday, making it two straight days that Bush has not been able to join his teammates on the field after starting the week with a limited practice on Wednesday.

Bush’s absence in Week Six and inability to complete Week Seven mixed with the team’s bye week waiting after they finish Sunday’s game may push the Lions to use Joique Bell and Theo Riddick this week and revisit things with Bush down the road. In better news for the Lions, wide receiver Calvin Johnson practiced for the third straight day as the condition of his ankle appears to be trending in the right direction.

The official injury report will be released later on Friday and we’ll also find out the status of the team’s tight ends once it comes off the wire. Brandon Pettigrew, Eric Ebron and Joseph Fauria all joined Bush on the sideline at practice and coach Jim Caldwell indicated Thursday that Pettigrew was the only one with a serious shot of playing this week.