ALLEN PARK -- The Detroit Lions made a flurry of moves Wednesday afternoon, highlighted by the return of receiver Jace Billingsley.

Billingsley was signed off the practice squad as Detroit prepares to face Pittsburgh on Sunday night without its best receiver. Golden Tate injured his shoulder two weeks ago against New Orleans and has since been seen in a sling. NFL Network reports the injury is an AC joint issue that will cost him game time.

Tate has started all 54 games since he signed with the Lions in 2014, and appeared in 85 straight games overall. He is Matthew Stafford's favorite target, too, with team highs in catches (38), yards (363), yards after the catch (215) and first downs (17).

At 5-foot-9, Billingsley is built in the same mold as Tate and could handle some of those snaps in the slot. But he doesn't have the versatility to play outside, as Tate does, which means more will be expected of Marvin Jones, Kenny Golladay and TJ Jones.

Running back Theo Riddick could split out more as well.

In addition to the Billingsley signing, Detroit announced offensive tackle Corey Robinson will return to practice, as well as made official the return of Brad Kaaya to the practice squad and the three-year extension of Matt Prater.

Robinson hasn't played this year while dealing with a foot injury. He spent all of training camp on the physically unable to perform list, then was briefly activated at the start of the season before being moved to injured reserve.

Robinson can practice three weeks before the Lions have to make a decision on whether to activate him to the 53-man roster or shut him down for the season. Detroit is thin at the position, with Taylor Decker sidelined by a shoulder injury and now Greg Robinson fighting off an ankle injury.

Decker is eligible to come off the physically unable to perform list at any time, but he's still believed to be a couple weeks away from being ready for games.