HEADLINES

Detroit Lions News & Rumors

Former Ravens RB Justin Forsett Retires

May 3rd, 2017 at 9:13am CST by Zachary Links

Justin Forsett is retiring. The longtime NFL running back is hanging up his cleats after nine seasons. Justin Forsett (vertical)

“It’s time. I’m officially announcing my retirement from the game I love,” Forsett wrote. “Its been an amazing ride and I’m grateful for every moment. My career has brought so many great people into my life, and I asked some of them to join me in saying goodbye. Against all odds, critics, and naysayers, I accomplished something great. Scouts measured my height and said I was too short. They measured my 40-yard dash and said I was too slow. They looked at my build and said I wouldn’t last. But they couldn’t measure my heart, my faith, and my perseverance. I am living proof that dreams come true and God answers prayers, and I thank God everyday for the opportunity to live out my dream.”

Forsett was a backup for the first six years of his career until 2014 when he got his big opportunity with the Ravens. As Baltimore’s lead back, he ran for 1,266 yards and eight touchdowns en route to his first Pro Bowl selection.

After being held back by injuries in 2015, the Ravens cut him loose early in the 2016 season. In 44 combined carries for the Lions and Ravens in the fall, he posted just over 3.0 yards per rush on 44 tries. When he later hooked on with the Broncos, he averaged a mere 3.6 yards per carry on 43 attempts. Entering what would have been his age-32 season, it was clear that Forsett’s best football was behind him.

Forsett will be fondly remembered for his impressive 2014 campaign and his positive locker room influence. PFR wishes Forsett all the best in retirement.

Minor NFL Transactions: 5/2/17

May 2nd, 2017 at 6:32pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Today’s minor moves:

Arizona Cardinals

Baltimore Ravens

  • Waived: LB Cavellis Luckett

Carolina Panthers

Cleveland Browns

  • Waived: K Brett Maher

Detroit Lions

New England Patriots

Philadelphia Eagles

Pittsburgh Steelers

Washington Redskins

Lions To Audition Matt Asiata

May 2nd, 2017 at 3:41pm CST by Zachary Links

Matt Asiata has a workout scheduled with the Lions, a source tells Tom Pelissero of USA Today (on Twitter). In fact, Asiata will participate in Detroit’s upcoming rookie minicamp, tweets Field Yates of ESPN.com. This marks Asiata’s first known audition since he became a free agent in March. Matt Asiata

[RELATED: Lions In On LeGarrette Blount]

Asiata, 30 in July, first broke into the NFL as a UDFA signing in Minnesota in 2011. After several years with the team, the Vikings decided to part ways with Asiata this spring and allow him to go elsewhere in free agency. As has been the case with other veteran running backs, his market has been very slow to develop.

The Lions already have four running backs under contract in Ameer Abdullah, Theo Riddick, Zach Zenner, and Dwayne Washington. However, they’re looking to add to the group, as evidenced by their interest in Asiata and LeGarrette Blount.

Asiata saw an increased workload in 2014 and 2016, seasons in which Adrian Peterson missed the majority of games. Last year, Asiata finished out with 402 yards off of 121 carries and six touchdowns. He also added 32 catches for 263 yards.

Lions, Giants In On LeGarrette Blount

May 2nd, 2017 at 11:27am CST by Zachary Links

The Lions and Giants are in play for LeGarrette Blount, league sources tell Charles Robinson of Yahoo Sports. The Giants’ interest has been known for a few weeks now, but the Lions connection is new. LeGarrette Blount (vertical)

[RELATED: Lions Pick Up Eric Ebron’s Option]

The Lions did not select a running back in the draft but they might look to bring in some extra competition at the position. Ideally, the Lions would like to use Ameer Abdullah as their main ball carrier with Theo Riddick as the pass-catching specialist, but Abdullah’s health cannot be counted upon. Zach Zenner, who impressed at times last season, and Dwayne Washington round out the running back depth chart. If signed, Blount could potentially squeeze Washington out of Detroit.

Blount remains on the market after turning down a modest one-year offer from the Patriots. At this stage of the game, he may have to settle for a similar deal if he wants to find an NFL home.

Lions Pick Up Eric Ebron’s Option

May 2nd, 2017 at 8:10am CST by Zachary Links

The Lions have exercised Eric Ebron‘s option for the 2018 season, according to a team announcement. As shown in PFR’s Fifth-Year Option Tracker, Ebron is now scheduled to earn $5.194MM in ’18. Eric Ebron (vertical)

[RELATED: 2018 Fifth-Year Option Decision Tracker]

Detroit took its time making the call on the tight end and it wasn’t a given that he would get the additional season tacked on to his contract. Since entering the league in 2014, Ebron has struggled with drops (he had seven in 2016) and hasn’t quite lived up to the expectations set for him when he was selected No. 10 overall.

On the bright side, Ebron has been steadily improving as a receiver. The 24-year-old went from 25 catches as a rookie to 47 in 2015 to 61 in 2016. Last season, only nine tight ends had more receptions than Ebron. The Lions are hoping that he can take yet another step forward in 2017 while losing the Roberto Duran act.

Lions Open To Re-Signing Anquan Boldin

May 1st, 2017 at 8:37pm CST by Connor J. Byrne
  • Redskins right tackle Morgan Moses‘ five-year extension contains a $40MM base value and a $42.5MM maximum worth, tweets Ian Rapoport of NFL.com. It also features $20MM in guarantees. Moses now has the third-richest deal among RTs, trailing only the Eagles’ Lane Johnson and the Lions’ Rick Wagner, and is second to Johnson in guaranteed money.
  • Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press reports that Lions GM Bob Quinn has been in contact with free agent wideout Anquan Boldin. Quinn said that the “door is open” should Boldin wish to return to Detroit. The 36-year-old does want to play next season, which would be his 15th in the NFL, but he’s unlikely to sign until training camp nears. Boldin took that approach last year, when he didn’t ink a deal with the Lions until July 30. He went on to haul in 67 passes and eight touchdowns, though he also posted a career-worst yards-per-catch average (8.7).

Ameer Abdullah WIll Be Starting RB

April 30th, 2017 at 11:28am CST by Rory Parks
  • The Lions did not select a running back in this year’s draft, and as Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com writes, GM Bob Quinn stated afterwards that Ameer Abdullah, who missed almost all of 2016 with a foot injury, will be the team’s starting back going into 2017.

Teez Tabor Only Worked Out For Lions

April 29th, 2017 at 9:02am CST by Ben Levine
  • The Lions selected cornerback Teez Tabor with the 53rd pick, despite the fact he suffered a hamstring injury during his workout with the team. Rapoport tweets that the Florida product didn’t end up working out for any other teams.

    [SOURCE LINK]

Patriots Acquire 85th Selection From Lions

April 28th, 2017 at 9:32pm CST by Connor J. Byrne

The Patriots have acquired the 85th pick in the draft from the Lions, tweets Jeff Howe of the Boston Herald. New England has given up the 96th and 124th picks, per Field Yates of ESPN (on Twitter), and will select Troy offensive lineman Antonio Garcia.

The 23-year-old Garcia was a stalwart at left tackle with Troy, but if he remains a bookend in the pros, he could have trouble getting on the field for the time being. The Patriots are all set at both tackle spots with Nate Solder protecting Tom Brady‘s blindside and Marcus Cannon manning the right. Solder is entering a contract year, though, so Garcia could be in position to step into the starting lineup in 2018.

Moving up for Garcia gave the Pats two of the three picks from 83 to 85. With the 83rd selection, they chose Youngstown State defensive end Derek Rivers.

49ers, Two Other Teams Calling For Lions’ No. 21 Pick

April 27th, 2017 at 9:28pm CST by Zachary Links

The Lions are set to pick at No. 21, but they might not actually make the selection. Three teams want that pick, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter) hears, including the 49ers.

The Broncos are about to make their pick at No. 20 and plenty of big names remain on the board. Alabama linebacker Reuben Foster, FSU running back Dalvin Cook, UCLA linebacker Takkarist McKinley, and many more remain available. Soon, we could see the Niners or another team move into the No. 21 pick to get one of those big names.

Earlier tonight, the 49ers moved back from No. 2 to the No. 3 pick and grabbed Stanford defensive lineman Solomon Thomas. In the deal, they added picks No. 67 and No. 111 this year plus a 2018 a third-round pick in 2018.

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