The Detroit Lions could be getting one of their injured defensive players back in the playoffs.

The Lions opened the 21-day practice window for rookie cornerback Ennis Rakestraw on Thursday.

The Lions held a light practice Thursday focused on end-of-game situations before taking a three-day break during their first-round playoff bye. They will host the lowest-seeded NFC wild-card winner in a divisional round playoff game next weekend at Ford Field.

Rakestraw, a second-round pick from Missouri, has been out since late November with a hamstring injury. He has six tackles in eight games this season, playing primarily on special teams.

Lions coach Dan Campbell indicated Tuesday that Rakestraw was the only Lions player currently on IR with a realistic chance of returning this season.

He said cornerback Carlton Davis (broken jaw) and linebacker Derrick Barnes (torn MCL, PCL) won’t return this season, and he referred to defensive end Aidan Hutchinson’s broken leg as “a season-ending injury,” while allowing that “if anybody can come back from this, it would be Aidan is the best way to say it.”

The Lions have 21 days to elevate Rakestraw to their 53-man roster or keep him on IR for the rest of the season.