Calvin Johnson's participation in Wednesday's practice -- albeit limited -- was good news for the Detroit Lions, who began preparation for Sunday's game vs. Cincinnati.

Johnson has been dealing with a right knee injury since Sept. 29 (vs. Chicago). It caused him miss the Green Bay game the following week and limited him to 38 snaps last week in Cleveland.

This week marks the first time Johnson's practiced on a Wednesday since acquiring the injury. He was listed as "limited" on Wednesday’s injury report, but it seems a sign the knee is getting better that he’s on the practice field this early in the week

RB Montell Owens

Also on the practice field Wednesday were running back Joique Bell and cornerback Rashean Mathis. Both players left last week’s win in Cleveland with injures; Bell with a rib injury and Mathis a groin.

Like Johnson, both players were limited, but their participation in the portion of practice open to the media this early in the week is a pretty good sign they, too, should be available to play Sunday.

Running back Montell Owens also returned to the practice field in his first eligible day to do so since he was designated to the short-term injured reserve list with a knee injury.

Owens is eligible to return to game action after the bye week.

Not participating in the open portion of practice were safety Louis Delmas (knee), tackle Jason Fox (groin), receiver Nate Burleson (forearm), tight end Tony Scheffler (concussion) and running back Theo Riddick (concussion).