Detroit Lions head coach Jim Schwartz has urged caution over wide receiver Nate Burleson's return to practice following a broken arm.

Burleson took part in his first practice session for six weeks on Tuesday having recovered from surgery on his left arm, which he broke in a bizarre car accident while trying to prevent a pizza box slipping off the passenger seat.

Schwartz revealed that the 32-year-old was making good progress from his injury, but hinted that he may hold him back from Sunday's match against the Chicago Bears.

"I'd caution reading too much [into] him being out there and being back, but he is progressing well and everyone is pleased with his progression," Schwartz told reporters.

"We all know how tough a guy Nate is. If it was up to him, he probably would have missed one game, but there's only so much that you can do with healing bones and stuff.

"The big thing with Nate is when we do get him back, we're going to get him back, but we want to make sure he's back for good. To do that, we have to avoid setbacks and stuff like that. But he's doing well."

The Lions could take control of the NFC North with a win on Sunday as they are currently in a three-way tie at the top of the division with the Bears and the Green Bay Packers.