The Lions could get tight end Brandon Pettigrew back on the field before the year is through. Pettigrew returned to practice today, kickstarting the team’s three-week window to activate him. If his knee holds up, he could return to action. Word on the veteran’s knee has been positive as of late. 
Pettigrew was placed on the PUP list in late August, helping the team to get down to the 75-man max. In September, he agreed to rework his contract in order to remain in Detroit. The tight end was previously set to earn a non-guaranteed base salary of $3.65MM for 2016. The new deal granted Pettigrew ~$129K – or, 1/17th of his $2.2MM split salary. If he is brought on to the 53-man roster, he’ll earn almost $215K, which is 1/17th of $3.65MM, his original base salary.
Pettigrew, 31, caught only 17 passes for 137 yards between 2014 and 2015. These days, he is relied on more for his blocking ability than anything else.