For the first time since tearing his left ACL last December in St. Louis, Lions Tight End Brandon Pettigrew has returned to the practice field. Pettigrew has been on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list since the beginning of training camp, and has not been able to practice until last Tuesday.

Pettigrew knows what he brings to the table. The Lions are currently ranked 30th in the NFL rushing the ball at just over 80 yards per contest, Pettigrew brings a solid blocking presence in the pocket.

“Every player has their certain skillset,” Pettigrew said. “I’m clearly known as a blocker. I’m just ready to get back and offer that.” Pettigrew said Monday. “I think it adds an element to put us over the top and get us past what we’ve been struggling with a little bit.”

"Do I want to play? I’m here seven days a week working my butt off. I think I want to play." — Brandon Pettigrew — Justin Rogers (@Justin_Rogers) November 28, 2016

Pettigrew knows that the season wears hard on players, and having fresh legs on the field will be a huge lift to the Lions down the stretch as they make a push for the playoffs.

“Midway through the (season), guys are getting beat on and getting tired,” Pettigrew said. “It’s good to have fresh legs in the game.”

Will Pettigrew be ready for Sunday’s game against New Orleans? He certainly hopes so…

“We’ll see,” he said. “We’ll see where it goes. I’m not going to say for certain that I’m going to play Sunday, but we’ll definitely see where I am at the end of the week.”

The team has 15 days to determine if they want to activate Pettigrew to the 53-man roster, or keep him on PUP, ending his 2016 season.

TE Brandon Pettigrew back at practice today. Lions have 3 weeks to activate him to roster or leave him on PUP for season — Tim Twentyman (@ttwentyman) November 22, 2016