ALLEN PARK — Louis Delmas took a step Thursday toward playing on Sunday against the Indianapolis Colts.

 Delmas, who has a knee injury, practiced on a limited basis today (Thursday). He stretched along the sidelines with trainers and they took part in a defensive backs drill. He will likely be listed on daily injury report as limited. He had not practiced on Tuesday or Wednesday.

 Delmas played on Thanksgiving on a limited basis due to swelling in his knee. Previous to that he had missed three straight games and has only played four this season.

 Also returning to practice was left tackle Jeff Backus who broke his string of 186 straight starts when he couldn’t play on Thanksgiving due to hamstring. 

 Cliff Avril (back) is on his normal practice routine. He practiced Thursday but was out Tuesday and Wednesday. 

 Mikel Leshoure (ankle) and Corey Williams (knee) were also back.

 The only two missing Lions were Kyle Vanden Bosch (probably a rest day) and Jonte Green (illness).

 Wide receiver Titus Young returned for a second day of work. 

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