Detroit Lions injury updates: DJ Chark returns to practice, Jameson Williams getting closer

The Detroit Lions are lined up to get some healthy wide receivers into the fold, with Wednesday’s updates on DJ Chark and Jameson Williams.

The Detroit Lions receiving corps has been thinned by injuries recently, to the point practice squad call-ups have been needed to have enough healthy bodies available. On Wednesday, head coach Dan Campbell had updates on DJ Chark and Jameson Williams.

Chark told Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press he expected to have a minimum stay on IR. Campbell confirmed Chark would practice on Wednesday, via Justin Rogers of the Detroit News, starting the 21-day clock for him to be activated.

"Yeah, we’re going to let him run around today,” Lions coach Dan Campbell said. “We’ll start his clock and just let him do some individual work today and see how he feels.”"

Chark missed a couple games before being placed on IR. Sunday against the New York Giants, assuming he doesn’t play, would be his seventh straight game missed. He has seven catches for 98 yards and a touchdown in three games this season.

Detroit Lions rookie wide receiver Jameson Williams inching toward debut

Campbell also had a fresh update on rookie wide receiver Jameson Williams.

"I would say probably after Thanksgiving sometime would be the best way (to put it),” Campbell said about Williams’ timeline to return to practice. “I think that’s tentatively what we’re looking at. I don’t know if that would be the Jacksonville week (Dec. 4) or the week after. It could be next week, but it’s just we’re not doing a ton.He’s close,” Campbell continued. “It certainly won’t be this week and I don’t see him playing for Thanksgiving, but we’ll see where it goes. He’s progressing. There’re no setbacks.”"

Starting Williams’ 21-day activation window when Campbell has suggested fits with the previous indication he’ll make his debut in December.

In other injury news for the Lions, defensive end Romeo Okwara returned to practice on Wednesday. He tore his Achilles in Week 4 last season, so his 21-day activation window is also starting like Chark’s is.