Lions can wait to activate Drayton Florence until next week

Though he is eligible to hit the field this weekend against Green Bay, Detroit Lions cornerback Drayton Florence has yet to be activated from the team's injured reserve list, as reported by Justin Rogers of MLive.com.

Florence was given Detroit's one-time distinction as a player eligible to return later in the year following a broken forearm in Week 2, and he joined his teammates back at practice for the first time since the injury exactly two weeks ago. But with the brand new 21-day window imposed by the NFL closing quickly on the Lions, the organization will only have until next week to either activate him for good or keep his name on the injured list and effectively end his season.

A 10-year NFL veteran with 17 career interceptions under his belt, Florence was a logical choice to be the Lions' one player allowed to return given his value to head coach Jim Schwartz's inexperienced secondary. With as many as four defensive backs held out of practice on Wednesday due to various injuries, Florence's presence may very well be needed this Sunday whether he is activated or not.