Nate Burleson has been hinting at a return for a few weeks now ever since he returned to practice. The Detroit Lions wide receiver had been recovering from an infamous broken arm after attempting to save a pizza box from sliding off his passenger seat. Now, the receiver has been officially cleared for contact and is expected to start on Sunday.
"I don't want to give away too much, but things are looking up for Nate Burleson," Burleson said, via the Detroit Free Press. "Catching some balls, getting high fives. My friends are talking to me again. Things are finally looking up. That pizza set me back, man."
The Detroit Free Press is reporting that Burleson looks healthy and will play on Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers barring any setbacks. The receiver had been out since the accident on Sept. 24, missing the last seven games. He returned to practice on a limited basis before spending all week with the first-team offense.
Prior to the injury, Burleson led the Lions with 239 yards off 19 catches. Since then, the team has shuffled through several receivers. Naturally, Calvin Johnson has been a constant presence and threat. Ryan Broyles attempted to take over for the injured Burleson until he tore Achilles tendon. Patrick Edwards attempted to step in, but was demoted. The best option the Lions had been working with was Kris Durham.
Offensive coordinator Scott Linehan is thrilled to have the veteran back on the field for the team. While the team intends to work him back slowly, Linehan believes his leadership and energy could make a big difference in the final stretch of the season.
"Just being able to have that in that huddle brings confidence to the group," Linehan said. "And not that they don't have that, but he just has the creditability to go in and kind of get those guys going and be kind of like that, I don't know if he's the mascot for the receivers, but he certainly gets them going and brings a bunch of positive energy to our team."
Johnson has certainly not been struggling since the receiver's injury, but Burleson's presence on the field could take away some of the double-coverage he has been getting. The Lions were in need of another offensive producer as they battle for the NFC North. Burleson will help in that effort.
