Detroit Lions get some good news with CB Justin Coleman returning to practice

ALLEN PARK — The Detroit Lions announced cornerback Justin Coleman would return to practice on Thursday afternoon.

Coleman has been on short-term injured reserve for more than a month after suffering a hamstring injury during the season-opening loss to the Bears. The Lions made him the highest-paid nickel cornerback in football last year, and his return to the slot would be a welcome addition to a youthful cornerback room. Coleman’s early injury and Desmond Trufant’s ongoing issues have pushed Amani Oruwariye and Jeff Okudah to the top of the cornerback rotation.

Trufant has been dealing with a hamstring injury of his own. The first-year Lions cornerback returned in Week 4 but left after aggravating the injury and still was not back at practice to open the week. Trufant was seen working on the sidelines with trainers at Thursday’s practice per the pool report, though.

Oruwariye has responded impressively in recent weeks. Okudah, the team’s prized rookie, has shown flashes while going through the classic peaks and valleys for rookie cornerbacks. Oruwariye has allowed just 11 catches on 26 targets, with quarterbacks averaging a 62.0 passer rating when throwing his way. That’s the seventh-best mark in the league, ranking 46th among all corners per Pro Football Focus.

It remains to be seen how much time Coleman will need before returning to action ahead of this weekend’s trip to Atlanta. Detroit has a tough matchup with the Falcons fresh off their first win and an explosive 40-point showing while riding the passing attack.

The Lions also announced they signed running back Dalyn Dawkins to the practice squad, releasing offensive lineman Beau Benzschawel in the corresponding move. Benzschawel appeared in two games for the team last season, spending parts of the previous two years on the practice squad.