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Detroit Lions News & Rumors

Lions Place Theo Riddick On IR

December 31st, 2016 at 3:10pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Lions already ruled Theo Riddick out of a potential elimination game on Sunday night, but if the team advances to the playoffs, it won’t have its top healthy running back’s services.

Detroit placed Riddick on IR to end his season, Adam Caplan of ESPN.com tweets. He’s missed the past three games with a wrist injury and will now have a full offseason to recover from the malady. The Lions signed wide receiver Jace Billingsley off their practice squad, Michael Rothstein reports.

Should the Lions either beat the Packers or receive help with a Redskins loss, they will have to use their backup running backs in the playoffs. Zach Zenner, Dwayne Washington and the recently re-signed Joique Bell represent the Lions’ backfield contingent heading into their pivotal Week 17 contest.

The recently extended Riddick finished his fourth season with 728 yards from scrimmage. Following Ameer Abdullah‘s early-season injury, the former passing-down back became the Lions’ top ground option. Riddick’s career-high 357 rushing yards still lead the team despite the 25-year-old back playing in just 10 games.

Last month, a report pointing to a possible Abdullah return emerged. Nothing has transpired on that front since. Both Zenner and Washington have amassed 265 rushing yards this season for a Lions rushing attack that ranks 30th, but Zenner is averaging 3.9 yards per carry compared to the rookie’s 2.9.

Lions Sign CB Crezdon Butler

December 28th, 2016 at 9:49am CST by Zachary Links

The Lions announced that they have re-signed cornerback Crezdon Butler. To make room, defensive tackle Stefan Charles has been placed on IR. Crezdon Butler (vertical)

The signing of Butler could be a sign that Darius Slay will not be able to go in Week 17. Slay has been dealing with a hamstring injury that kept him out of action in Week 16 against the Cowboys. This week, they hope to have him in uniform as they take on the Packers in a game that will decide the NFC North championship.

Butler had two separate stints with Detroit last year but he has yet to appear in an NFL game in 2016. Over the years, he has seen action with the Steelers, Cardinals, Bills, Redskins, Chargers, Bucs, and Seahawks.

Lions Work Out Two DEs

December 27th, 2016 at 5:52pm CST by Connor J. Byrne
  • Defensive ends Rufus Johnson and Rakim Cox worked out for the Lions (Twitter links via Caplan and Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle).

Lions Players Reaching Incentives

December 27th, 2016 at 12:40pm CST by Zachary Links

La Canfora’s Latest: Jaguars, Rams, Lions, Pats

December 25th, 2016 at 8:07pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The Jaguars are expected to consider Tampa Bay defensive coordinator Mike Smith for head coach, a source tells Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com, while Jacksonville could also express interest in a multitude of NCAA coaches, including Ole Miss’ Hugh Freeze. Previous reports have indicated that the Jaguars and GM Dave Caldwell could also look at New England offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels and Atlanta play-caller Kyle Shanahan, while Tom Coughlin will definitively interview for the job.

Here’s more from La Canfora:

  • The Rams aren’t only targeting high-profile names such as Jon Gruden and Josh McDaniels for their head coaching vacancy, according to La Canfora, who reports that Los Angeles will also look at lesser-known options as it seeks to replace Jeff Fisher. Rams management thinks highly of offensive coordinators Sean McVay and Shanahan, per La Canfora, and will probably be involved in LA’s hunt.
  • While several coaching jobs are expected to come open at season’s end, NFL front offices likely won’t see many changes, writes La Canfora. Aside from 49ers general manager Trent Baalke, most executives are on solid ground, as even clubs with poor records such as the Browns, Bills, Rams, and Jaguars are likely to opt for stability among its decision-makers.
  • Although his offensive has succeeded in Detroit, Lions play-caller Jim Bob Cooter could miss out on head coaching gigs because of his name, which doesn’t project a “corporate” image, reports La Canfora. Patriots defensive coordinator Matt Patricia could also be denied jobs due to his shaggy look, which doesn’t fit the NFL’s CEO culture.

Cooter A Candidate For Rams?

December 24th, 2016 at 6:19pm CST by Zachary Links
  • Bills offensive coordinator Anthony Lynn and Lions offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter are two to watch in the Rams‘ coaching search, Vincent Bonsignore of the Los Angeles Daily News tweets.

Lions Promote 2015 Third-Rounder Carter

December 24th, 2016 at 4:04pm CST by Sam Robinson
  • With Darius Slay‘s status murky for Monday night’s Lions-Cowboys game, Detroit promoted second-year cornerback Alex Carter from its practice squad, Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press reports (on Twitter). Carter came to the Motor City as a third-round pick in 2015 but saw an injury scrap his rookie season and did not make the 2016 team out of training camp. Carter, who will take Corey Lemonier‘s roster spot, has yet to play in an NFL game despite the Day 2 draft pedigree.

Lions Cut Corey Lemonier

December 23rd, 2016 at 7:03pm CST by Ben Levine
  • The Lions announced that they have cut Corey Lemonier. The 25-year-old outside linebacker didn’t take the field for his lone game in Detroit last weekend. The Auburn product played in eight games (one start) for the Browns earlier this season, compiling nine tackles, two sacks, and one forced fumble.

Calvin Johnson: “I’m Not Coming Back, Man”

December 21st, 2016 at 10:28am CST by Zachary Links

Former Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson is enjoying life after football and he won’t be coming back. When asked about the possibility of eventually returning to the NFL, Johnson was clear in his response. Calvin Johnson

[RELATED: Lions CB Darius Slay To Miss Time?]

“I’m not coming back, man,” Johnson told ESPN.com’s Michael Rothstein. “Look, man. I got stuff that’s going to hurt for the rest of my life. I got a finger that’s literally bone-on-bone. This bad boy, it gets smaller. The more and more I do, it grinds bone-on-bone. Literally from last year, I went this year to get another X-Ray and this is after I retired, I knew it was messed up but I didn’t know to what degree because it was hurt.”

In addition to his mangled finger, Johnson cited his injured ankle, knees, and shoulder as reasons why football is no longer a good idea for him. Besides that, Megatron says he’s happy in retirement and he likes watching football as a spectator on Sundays. He admits that he wishes he could have left the game with a Super Bowl ring, but he won’t return to try and chase that goal.

The Lions, without Johnson, are 9-5 and leading the NFC North with two games to go.

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