ALLEN PARK, Mich. -- TJ Jones hasn't practiced since just after he was drafted in May. He hasn't played in a game since December when he was still in college at Notre Dame.

That can theoretically change starting this week.

Jones is eligible to practice again as he begins to focus on becoming eligible to come off the physically unable to perform list, where the Detroit Lions receiver was placed following offseason shoulder surgery and a nerve issue that made it difficult for him to catch.

Lions coach Jim Caldwell said depending what doctors say, he could start practicing with the team this week.

It is an injury he is still recovering from as his practice window opens to come off the PUP list. If he starts practicing, the Lions then have a three-week window to either activate him or end his season.

"It's still coming back," Jones told ESPN.com on Friday. "I'm not going to have it completely back by the time I come back. Ideally I would, but I'm going to let them kind of decide that. We're going to kind of make the move together and they are going to decide what they feel is best for me.

"Whether I come back Monday or I have to sit out even longer, I'm just going to go with their decision."

While Jones has missed time -- something he still deems "frustrating" -- he believes he can contribute to a Lions' offense already cluttered with options this season.

Jones had been working mostly as an outside receiver before the injury, although he has the size and hands to play the slot if necessary.

Those hands, though, could be the real sign whether he plays this season. His ability as a possession receiver made him an attractive draft pick in the sixth round. He wouldn't indicate where his grip strength is -- he said 10 days ago it was still part of his issues in returning -- and didn't want to put a number on where his hands were.

"It's making improvements," Jones said. "I'll leave it at that. It's making improvements."

Improvement enough to play this season still remains to be seen.