Haloti Ngata Injury: Updates on Lions Star's Shoulder and Return

Detroit Lions defensive tackle Haloti Ngata hadn't played since suffering a shoulder injury during Week 5 against the Philadelphia Eagles. However, he is ready to return.

Continue for updates.

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Ngata Active vs. Vikings

Sunday, Nov. 6

The Lions announced Ngata is available for Week 9 against Minnesota.

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Latest on Ngata's Practice Status

Friday, Nov. 4

ESPN NFL Nation's Michael Rothstein reported that Ngata was limited in practice for the third straight day Friday.

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Injury Disrupted Productive Season for Ngata

Ngata was given the thankless task of replacing not just Ndamukong Suh but also Nick Fairley on Detroit's defensive line in 2015. The franchise lost both players to free agency, forcing the front office to approve sending fourth- and fifth-round picks to the Baltimore Ravens for Ngata's services.

Ngata finished with 24 combined tackles and 2.5 sacks in his first year with Detroit. Unsurprisingly, the Lions defense took a step backward. According to Football Outsiders, the team went from eighth in pass defense DVOA (defense-adjusted value over average) and first in run defense DVOA in 2014 to 19th and 14th, respectively, in those categories in 2015.

Through five games this season, Ngata has looked more like his old self again. He has eight tackles, one pass defensed and 1.5 sacks.