BAGSHOT, England -- The Detroit Lions are on another continent, but they are still without star receiver Calvin Johnson at practice.

Johnson missed his seventh straight day of practice Wednesday, although he did stand off to the side watching the offense work out. He said Tuesday he is making some improvements in trying to return from his high ankle sprain to his right ankle.

He was one of six Lions players not practicing for Detroit on Wednesday at the Pennyhill Park Hotel and Spa, where the team is practicing and where England's national rugby team also works out.

All of the players who didn't practice for the Lions on Wednesday are of significance: right tackle LaAdrian Waddle, defensive end Ezekiel Ansah and three tight ends -- Brandon Pettigrew, Joseph Fauria and Eric Ebron.

When it comes to Fauria and Ebron, Lions coach Jim Caldwell said they are making improvements. Fauria hasn't practiced or played since injuring his ankle before Week 4 against the Jets. Ebron has not practiced since tweaking his hamstring in practice last week.

"Practice would be one of those things where it goes day-to-day with those guys," Caldwell said. "Both of them are rapidly improving and I have to sort of wait and see what happens, what the doctors say where they are before we can utilitze them. So at this point it is kind of a day-to-day thing and see how it goes."

The Lions had Jordan Thompson, Kellen Davis and practice squad receiver Ifeyani Momah working out as tight ends Wednesday during the media portion of practice.