Dave Birkett

Detroit Free Press

Vaughn sprained his ankle in a Week 3 practice and hasn%27t been on the field since

For now%2C Isa Abdul-Quddus and Danny Gorrer are splitting time in nickel packages

If Cassius Vaughn has any say in the matter, he'll be back in the lineup Sunday against the Buffalo Bills (1 p.m., Fox).

But the Detroit Lions cornerback knows that things aren't quite that simple.

Vaughn is making progress in his return from the sprained ankle he suffered two weeks ago, but he still hasn't practiced since the Sept. 17 injury and might not have a defined role when he comes back.

"I'm trying to sweet talk them and see (if I can play this week)," Vaughn said Wednesday. "I know the coaching staff believe in me and I know we're trying to get back, but when we're on a run like this and you're seeing the team doing so well, you just want to be a part of it."

Vaughn took over as the Lions' nickel cornerback early in a Week 2 loss to the Carolina Panthers, after rookie Nevin Lawson became the second Lions corner to go down with a season-ending injury in as many weeks.

Vaughn was ticketed for slot cornerback duty against the Green Bay Packers the next week but sprained his ankle in a midweek practice and hasn't played since.

Last week, with safety James Ihedigbo back in the lineup for the first time since a preseason neck injury, backup safety Isa Abdul-Quddus and cornerback Danny Gorrer split nickel duties. Abdul-Quddus, who started three games in Ihedigbo's place, has done enough to earn a regular role on defense in some sub packages.

Vaughn declined to say which ankle he hurt because he didn't want offensive players targeting his vulnerable leg when he returns.

"You never know, somebody might not like me out there," he said. "I talk too much."

But he said he still thinks he can add "a lot" to the defense that has just two interceptions from its defensive backs through four games.

"We got playmakers everywhere, but as far as myself, I just feel like I got a nose for the ball," Vaughn said. "They all have a lot of things going. Just for myself, I feel like I got a little bit more energy to a lot of things and just a playmaking ability. ... You've been seeing (Darius) Slay step up a whole bunch, and that's been huge for us. We've counted on him to do a lot of things. (Rashean Mathis has) been 'Shean. He's consistent, so we know what we're going to get from him. And everybody else just chipping in where they have to, and it's been working out good for us."

Contact Dave Birkett: dbirkett@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @davebirkett.