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Detroit Lions News & Rumors

Lions’ T.J. Lang Done For Year

November 14th, 2018 at 3:36pm CST by Zachary Links

Lions guard T.J. Lang has been placed on injured reserve due to a neck injury, according to a team announcement. The move will end Lang’s season and may mark the end of his time in Detroit. 

[RELATED: Vikings Claim Former Lions RB Ameer Abdullah]

Lang, 31, left the Packers in 2017 to sign with their divisional rival. At the time, the Packers were widely slammed for allowing Lang to get away, but they may have made the smart move in hindsight. Thanks to injuries, Lang missed three games last season and appeared in just six games this year.

This offseason, the Lions can release Lang to save $9MM against the cap. The move would leave them with just $2.6MM in dead money and it’s something of a no-brainer, despite the two-time Pro Bowler’s past accomplishments.

In a related move, the Lions promoted cornerback Mike Ford off the practice squad. Even after swapping Lang for Ford, the Lions have one more vacant spot to fill on their 53-man roster.

NFL Workout Updates: 11/13/18

November 13th, 2018 at 9:18pm CST by Sam Robinson

Here’s the latest from the workout circuit. All links go to NFL reporter Howard Balzer’s Twitter account, unless otherwise noted.

Arizona Cardinals

Detroit Lions

Indianapolis Colts

Jacksonville Jaguars

New Orleans Saints

New York Jets

Oakland Raiders

Tennessee Titans

Minor NFL Transactions: 11/12/18

November 12th, 2018 at 5:38pm CST by Andrew Ortenberg

Today’s minor moves will be posted here:

Denver Broncos

Detroit Lions:

Jacksonville Jaguars

San Francisco 49ers

NFL Workout Updates: 11/11/18

November 11th, 2018 at 2:00pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Today’s workout updates, all courtesy of veteran NFL reporter Howard Balzer (on Twitter):

Arizona Cardinals

Detroit Lions

Oakland Raiders

Darius Slay Out With Knee Injury

November 10th, 2018 at 2:49pm CST by Sam Robinson
  • Better news for the Bears. They’re in line to have both Khalil Mack and Allen Robinson back on Sunday when they face the Lions, per the Associated Press. Mack is no longer on the injury report after missing the past two Chicago games because of an ankle malady. His defensive player of the year chances took a hit because of this hiatus and Aaron Donald continuing another all-world season but Mack figures to still be in the running and can help a team attempting reach the playoffs for the first time in eight years.
  • The Lions‘ Robinson coverage options will be limited. Darius Slay is out for Week 10, joining guard T.J. Lang in that regard. Slay’s played in each of Detroit’s previous eight games and hasn’t missed time since 2016 but is battling a knee injury. A neck ailment will sideline Lang, who also missed time because of a concussion this season.

NFL Practice Squad Updates: 11/7/18

November 7th, 2018 at 7:41pm CST by Zachary Links

Today’s practice squad moves:

Arizona Cardinals

Cleveland Browns

Detroit Lions

Los Angeles Chargers

New England Patriots

New York Giants

  • Signed: WR Quadree Henderson

New York Jets

  • Signed: RB De’Angelo Henderson

Seattle Seahawks

  • Signed: LB Emmanuel Ellerbee

Vikings Claim RB Ameer Abdullah

November 7th, 2018 at 3:16pm CST by Zachary Links

The Vikings claimed former Lions running back Ameer Abdullah off waivers, a source tells Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (on Twitter). The move gives the former second-round pick a shot at a fresh start and even an opportunity for revenge when the Vikings face the Lions in Week 16. 

Abdullah entered the league with tons of hype in 2015, but injuries prevented him from doing much of anything after his rookie season. With the Lions this year, Abdullah was mostly inactive behind rookie star Kerryon Johnson, LeGarrette Blount, and pass-catching specialist Theo Riddick.

Technically speaking, Abdullah ranks no higher than third on the Vikings’ depth chart behind Dalvin Cook and Latavius Murray, but Cook’s hamstring issues could reappear at any time. Cook looked strong in Week 9 as he rattled off a 70-yard run, but one wrong step could jeopardize his season. The Vikings also have UDFAs Michael Boone and Roc Thomas on the 53-man roster, but one of those players will probably be forced out to make room for the Nebraska product.

The Vikings own the 12th best record in the NFL, meaning more than half of the league passed on the opportunity to add Abdullah. Still, it’s a low-risk move for Minnesota since Abdullah’s contract will expire at the end of the season.

Lions Re-Sign RB Zach Zenner

November 6th, 2018 at 2:01pm CST by Zachary Links

The Lions re-signed running back Zach Zenner, according to a team announcement. Zenner will serve as the team’s fourth running back now that Ameer Abullah is out of the picture.

Zenner spent the last three seasons with the Lions and re-signed with the club this offseason. Unfortunately, he was held back by injuries in the summer and was released from IR in September. After waiting the required period of time, the Lions brought him back into the fold.

Zenner enjoyed the best season of his career in 2016 when he ran for 334 yards and four touchdowns off of 88 carries. He also added 18 catches for 196 yards. All of those numbers stand as career highs for the former UDFA out of South Dakota State.

Barring an injury, Zenner doesn’t figure to see a whole lot of work this time around. For now, he’s stationed behind Kerryon Johnson, LeGarrette Blount, and Theo Riddick.

To make room for Zenner, the Lions waived wide receiver Andy Jones.

Lions Release RB Ameer Abdullah

November 6th, 2018 at 1:22pm CST by Zachary Links

The Lions are signing free agent wide receiver Bruce Ellington, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter) hears. To make room, the Lions will waive running back Ameer Abdullah. 

Abdullah entered the league with lots of hype as a second-round pick in 2015, but injuries prevented him from doing much of anything after his rookie season. This year, Abdullah has been mostly inactive behind rookie star Kerryon Johnson, LeGarrette Blount, and pass-catching specialist Theo Riddick. Rapoport notes that the Lions had trade talks about the Nebraska product before the deadline, but the team was unable to find a deal. Now, he’ll have an opportunity to start fresh somewhere else.

Ellington spent most of the 2018 season on Houston’s injured reserve as he dealt with a hamstring injury, but the 27-year-old was recently cleared by doctors to play. While it was once assumed that the Texans would activate the receiver, their acquisition of Demaryius Thomas (and quick recovery of KekeCoutee) changed things. Ellington ultimately got released off of IR late last month.

The 2014 fourth-round pick signed with Houston back in 2017, and finished that campaign with 29 receptions for 330 yards and two touchdowns. He was underwhelming through Houston’s first three games in 2018, as he only hauled in eight receptions for 92 yards and one score. But, Ellington can contribute on special teams for Detroit and could carve out a role for himself at receiver in the wake of the Golden Tate trade.

Minor NFL Transactions: 11/5/18

November 5th, 2018 at 9:19pm CST by Sam Robinson

Here are Monday’s minor moves:

Arizona Cardinals

  • Signed off Colts’ practice squad: OL Zack Golditch

Buffalo Bills

Detroit Lions

Green Bay Packers

Oakland Raiders

Philadelphia Eagles

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