Cliff Avril injury: Lions DE cleared to return following concussion

On Wednesday, Detroit Lions defensive end Cliff Avril was cleared to play after suffering a concussion last Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings. It's still unclear if Avril will take the field this coming Sunday when the Lions host the Green Bay Packers, according to head coach Jim Schwartz, but he has been given the OK from the team's medical staff.

Avril didn't practice on Wednesday, because he wasn't cleared until after the team worked out. Schwartz did tell reporters that Avril was further along after the game on Sunday than other concussion cases that the team has seen. Avril is also still dealing with the lingering effects of a back injury that he suffered in Week 4.

In nine games for the Lions so far this season, the 26-year-old Avril has 4.5 sacks, 22 tackles and a pass deflection. As a team, the Lions are middle of the pack in the NFL with 19 sacks.