Detroit Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson is happy about the way his ankle sprain has progressed this week and might even be able to play Sunday when the Lions and Atlanta Falcons go head-to-head in London.
Johnson has sat out the last two weeks with a high ankle sprain and missed the Lions (5-2) 17-3 victory over the Minnesota Vikings (2-5) on Oct. 12 and the team's 24-23 triumph over the struggling New Orleans Saints (2-4) last Sunday.
Johnson was limited when he practiced for the first time in two weeks on Wednesday, but following practice on Thursday he appeared to be encouraged about his recovery.
"Good. We're doing everything from straight-forward running to moving laterally as well," Johnson told ESPN about the team's practices. "Things are going good. We're moving in a positive direction."
The Lions may not decide on whether or not Johnson is good to go until Sunday when the team takes on the Falcons (2-5) at London's Wembley Stadium.
Lions coach Jim Caldwell said it will ultimately be up to doctors to decide whether or not Johnson will be able to play this week. Johnson injured his ankle in the team's 19-7 victory over the Green Bay Packers and further aggravated it in Week 5 during a 17-14 loss to the Buffalo Bills, placing him on the sidelines the last two weeks.
Johnson would like to test his ankle more before deciding whether or not he is fit to return to the team.
"You want to push it. I want to push it, but we're trying to be smart about it," Johnson said. "Trying to take advice from the training staff that they are giving me and go with that."
Detroit is on a two-game winning streak and is in first place in the NFC North through the first seven weeks, but there is no question the team would be even better with a healthy "Megatron."
Johnson, 29, has 22 receptions on 37 targets this season for 348 yards and two touchdowns.
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