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Lions tight end Joseph Fauria returned to practice for the first time since spraining his ankle six weeks ago. (Mike Mulholland | MLive.com)

ALLEN PARK -- The Detroit Lions continue to ride a wave of good news since returning from last week's bye.

Just a couple hours after Calvin Johnson, Reggie Bush and LaAdrian Waddle announced they would return from injuries Sunday against the Miami Dolphins, tight end Joseph Fauria practiced for the first time in six weeks.

Fauria had been out since spraining his ankle Sept. 24 while chasing his peeing dog down some steps at his apartment building. He's missed the past five games.

He was seen catching passes and going through tight end drills during the 20 minutes of practice that were open to the media Monday.

The Lions were short-handed at tight end the past couple weeks, with Eric Ebron (hamstring) and then Brandon Pettigrew (foot) also succumbing to injury. Ebron and Pettigrew sat out Monday's practice, but Ebron could be nearing a return.

He was seen working on the side with a trainer during Monday's practice. That's the first time he's done anything during a practice since sustaining his injury during a practice exactly three weeks ago.

Defensive tackle Nick Fairley (sprained knee) was the only other player to miss practice. He's not expected to return for several weeks, if at all.

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