Don Carey removed from Lions PUP list

Though the Detroit Lions had an injury-filled practice on Monday, their official injury lists are slowly clearing out. The team announced on Tuesday morning that Don Carey was the latest player to come off the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list.

Carey has missed time during organized team activities and minicamp this offseason with an undisclosed injury.

Carey will return to practice in the midst of a heated camp battle at safety. Alex Carter, who is making the transition from cornerback to safety, has been getting rave reviews early in camp, while Miles Killebrew continues to grow heading into his sophomore season.

Getting Carey back could be a break for the Lions. Tavon Wilson, who has also looked good in two practices, went down with an apparent shoulder injury on Monday and did not return to practice. The Detroit Free Press’ Dave Birkett explained the injury:

Wilson's arm got caught in an awkward position trying to rip a pass away from tight end Darren Fells. He spent several minutes on the sideline with trainers looking at his upper body and did not return to practice.

The severity of Wilson’s injury and his availability for practice is still unknown at this point.

Carey is not likely to compete for a starting job, even if Wilson’s injury keeps him out for an elongated period of time. Carey has long been one of the Lions’ biggest contributors in special teams. If he finds his way onto the roster for the seventh-straight season, that will be why.

With Carey’s removal from the PUP list, here’s what the Lions’ injury lists look like.

PUP list:

• DE Armonty Bryant
• DE Jeremiah Valoaga
• DE Ezekiel Ansah
• T Taylor Decker
• T Corey Robinson
• G Brandon Thomas

NFI list:

• P Sam Martin