Starting left guard Kevin Dotson returned to Pittsburgh Steelers practice Wednesday, the team announced, opening a window in which he can return to game action as he recovers from an ankle injury.

Dotson has not played since suffering the injury during the first series of a tie with the Detroit Lions last month. Since then, the Steelers have cycled through four others to play his position: Joe Haeg, J.C. Hassenauer, B.J. Finney and John Leglue. Dotson remains on injured reserve.

A second-year player who was a presumed starter to begin a season for the first time, Dotson was expected to be one of the strengths of the Steelers’ offensive line in 2021. Rookies Kendrick Green and Dan Moore Jr. are starting on either side of the left guard.

Dotson’s return to practice means the Steelers have up to 21 days to activate him to the 53-man roster. In theory, that could happen as soon as Sunday’s scheduled game at the Kansas City Chiefs, although that is far from assured.

The Steelers have three games remaining on their regular-season schedule.

Finney and Hassenauer remain on IR, along with six Steelers players at other positions who are presumed out for the season.

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