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Lions linebacker Kyle Van Noy is back to 100 percent, but won't be eligible to return from shor-term injured reserve until Week 10. (Mike Mulholland | MLive.com)

ALLEN PARK -- The good news: Detroit Lions linebacker Kyle Van Noy is already back to 100 percent following surgery to repair a sports hernia.

"Oh yeah, 100 percent for sure," the rookie said.

The bad news: Van Noy isn't eligible to return for another six weeks.

The second-round pick out of BYU was expected to have a significant role for the Lions. But his season was derailed during training camp, when he suffered the sports hernia.

He was placed on short-term injured reserve, which means he must sit out at least eight weeks. The Lions are off Week 9, which means Van Noy must wait until a Nov. 9 game against the Miami Dolphins.

He can return to practice in two weeks.

Van Noy has attended every practice during his absence, and was seen Friday running and cutting through linebacker drills with a trainer while the rest of the team worked out.

Though this was his first activity during media portions of practice, Van Noy said he's been working out for a while.

"Been doing stuff undercover for a while with coaches," he said. "Usually pretty early in the morning."

Van Noy said he typically arrives at the team's facility around 6 a.m. for treatment and workouts.

He also is sporting a pretty epic beard these days.

"Just trying to be like my mentor DeAndre (Levy)," Van Noy said.

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