Another day and another practice for the Detroit Lions without superstar wide receiver Calvin Johnson.

Johnson sat out last week’s win against the Minnesota Vikings and has not practiced all week. The big difference on Friday: he had plenty of company on the sidelines.

Rookie tight end Eric Ebron, tailback Theo Riddick, tight end Joseph Fauria and linebacker Travis Lewis also missed practice Friday. Fauria and Lewis have been ruled out, Ebron and Riddick are doubtful and Johnson is questionable for Sunday’s game against the New Orleans Saints.

The Lions are preparing for the Saints with the idea that Johnson probably won’t play — unless there is a miracle.

“I’ve been surprised before,” coach Jim Caldwell told mlive.com. “He’s an unusual guy. Just talking to him [Thursday] after practice, he’s feeling good and coming along.

“Miracles have happened.”

Johnson suffered a high ankle sprain in a Week 3 win against the Green Bay Packers. He tried to play through it for two weeks, but was nothing more than a decoy. In Week 6 against the Bills, he took a helmet to his leg and was forced to leave the game.

Johnson has said he will only return when he is at 100 percent.

Ebron injured his hamstring during practice Wednesday. His chances of playing on Sunday are not looking good.

“He’s got a little bit of an issue he dealt with the other day,” Caldwell said. “He’s had a similar issue before. Just a matter of how quickly he’ll be able to rebound. The doctors are still working with him. He’ll be day-to-day.”