Lions punter Sam Martin practices for 1st time this season

ALLEN PARK, Mich. (AP) Detroit Lions punter Sam Martin has practiced for the first time this season.

Martin was removed from the reserve/non-football injury list Tuesday.

He was put on the list with an ankle injury that happened sometime between the team's minicamp in June and training camp in July. Lions coach Jim Caldwell has repeatedly refused to say how Martin was hurt, and Martin has not been available for interviews.

Detroit drafted Martin in the fifth round in 2013 out of Appalachian State. Martin has the four highest net punting averages in franchise history. His net average last season was 44.2 yards, breaking his own record by more than 2 yards from the previous year.

The Lions' next game is Oct. 29 at home against Pittsburgh.

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