Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images On Wednesaday, the Lions opened Alex Anzalone injury evaluation window and he began practicing ahead of Week 18. On Wednesday, the Detroit Lions released their injury report and it included linebacker and team captain Alex Anzalone. While the team has yet to officially confirm the move, this is an indicator that he has opened his injury evaluation window as a potential precursor for being removed from injured reserve. After breaking his forearm against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Anzalone has been on injured reserve and working toward returning back to the playing field. Over the past few weeks, rumors have leaked surrounding his potential return by the end of the season, and when coach Dan Campbell was asked about that possibility, his answers have remained similarly optimistic: “We’ll see,” Campbell said. “He’s doing well. He’s close. He’s really close.” While the Lions typically return their players from injured reserve cautiously, it’s entirely possible Anzalone is able to return quicker than normal. Typically, most players with soft tissue or ligament injuries use up the majority or all of the 21-day evaluation window. But with Anzalone’s being an injury to his extremities, it’s possible he could play as early as this weekend against the Vikings—similar to what we saw with Ifeatu Melifonwu (finger), who returned to game action after just three practices. That being said, everyone recovers from injuries differently, so there is no guarantee Anzalone will make it back in time for the regular season finale. But a return to practice is a terrific sign that he could be back for the playoffs. Update: At his Wednesday press conference, Campbell acknowledged Anzalone was back to practicing and would be at practice today. “He’ll be out there running around today, so we’ll see how he does,” Campbell said. “It’s really going to be how he—tomorrow is going to be a really big day for us, to see where he’s at.”