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Detroit Lions News & Rumors

Broncos Claim RB Justin Forsett Off Waivers

December 5th, 2016 at 3:05pm CST by Zachary Links

The Broncos have claimed running back Justin Forsett off waivers, according to a source who spoke with Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (on Twitter). The move once again reunited Forsett with coach Gary Kubiak.Justin Forsett (vertical)

The Broncos were in the market for a running back after losing Kapri Bibbs to injury. Now, Forsett will provide veteran help behind Devontae Booker and Juwan Thompson. Bibbs suffered a high ankle sprain this weekend and the Forsett deal is probably an indication that he’s facing a multi-game absence.

Forsett, 31, was dropped by Detroit over the weekend. Forsett had not played in a game since October and has just 136 rushing yards (on 3.1 per carry) this season. A journeyman for most of his career, Forsett broke out in 2014 with 1,266 yards, eight rushing touchdowns, and 44 receptions (all career highs) in 2014. Unfortunately, he has been unable to replicate those numbers ever since.

Needless to say, expectations have been scaled down for Forsett. If he can be a solid change-of-pace back for the Broncos down the stretch and help guide the team’s younger tailbacks, the Broncos will be happy with the acquisition.

Lions Notes: Fairley, Whitehead

December 3rd, 2016 at 7:39pm CST by Dallas Robinson
  • When the Lions declined defensive tackle Nick Fairley‘s fifth-year option for the 2015 season, the club’s brass defended the decision as a motivational tactic, hoping the sting of the move would incite Fairley into improvement. That strategy worked, Fairley tells Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com, as the current Saints defender says Detroit’s choice not to pick up the option “hit home” and forced him to self-evaluate. Fairley, who will face the Lions on Sunday, has since signed consecutive one-year deals with Los Angeles and New Orleans.
  • While Fairley will be active and playing when Detroit faces New Orleans, Lions linebacker Tahir Whitehead has been downgraded to out for Sunday’s contest, the club announced today. Whitehead hasn’t been all that effective this season, as he ranks just 79th among 85 qualified linebackers, per Pro Football Focus, but he has been available — Whitehead has played on every Lions defensive snap this season. With Whitehead sidelined, Detroit will likely utilize more nickel packages, as well as three-safety looks, tweets Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com.

Lions Cut Justin Forsett, Activate Armonty Bryant

December 3rd, 2016 at 3:36pm CST by Sam Robinson

Justin Forsett‘s tenure with the Lions looks to be over after the team did not keep the veteran on its roster upon making multiple moves Saturday. The Lions cut Forsett and cornerback Johnthan Banks to make room for the activation of defensive end Armonty Bryant and wide receiver T.J. Jones, James Palmer of NFL.com reports (Twitter links).

This will send the 31-year-old Forsett to the waiver wire, where the ninth-year veteran could be viewed as a depth option for teams in need of ball-carriers. Prior to the trade deadline, Forsett’s vested-veteran status applied and he did not have to pass through waivers upon being released from the Ravens.

Forsett had not played in a game since October and has just 136 rushing yards (on 3.1 per carry) this season. This move doesn’t necessarily point to an Ameer Abdullah return, though, per Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press (on Twitter). Abdullah remains on IR, with Theo Riddick being the top backfield option.

The Lions claimed Banks on waivers from the Buccaneers last month and used the cornerback in two games. However, the former Bucs starter who saw his star fall in Tampa Bay could not make enough of a case to stay on the team. He, too, will be subject to the waiver process.

This marks Bryant’s second activation of the season — both by the Lions — with this latest transaction coming as a result of a three-game suspension the defensive end served. He served a four-game ban while a member of the Browns before Cleveland cut him, re-routing him to Detroit via waiver claim. Bryant has three sacks this season in four games as an off-the-bench cog for the first-place Lions.

T.J. Jones‘ promotion coincides with Marvin Jones‘ potential unavailability for Sunday’s game against the Saints. A thigh injury limited the Lions’ leading receiver in practice this week.

Armonty Bryant To Return From Suspension Sunday?

December 2nd, 2016 at 7:58pm CST by Connor J. Byrne
  • When speaking Friday, Lions defensive end Ezekiel Ansah made it sound as though fellow DE Armonty Bryant will return from his three-game suspension Sunday in New Orleans. “We’re looking forward to what he’s going to do for us this week,” Ansah said (Twitter link via Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press). If Bryant is indeed coming back right away from his ban, Detroit will have to make a corresponding move to open up a roster spot for him.

NFL Practice Squad Updates: 11/30/16

November 30th, 2016 at 5:20pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Today’s practice squad moves:

Buffalo Bills

  •  Signed: G Isame Faciane

Detroit Lions

New York Giants

  • Signed: S Christian Bryant

New York Jets

Seattle Seahawks

Washington Redskins

Bills Sign Logan Thomas Off Lions P-Squad

November 29th, 2016 at 3:04pm CST by Zachary Links

Yesterday, the Lions signed quarterback Logan Thomas with the idea that they would convert him to a tight end. Today, the Bills decided to swoop in and sign him to the 53-man roster. By rule, the Bills will be required to carry Thomas on their 53-man roster for the next three weeks. Logan Thomas (vertical)

The Thomas deal is one of many moves for Buffalo today. The team has also promoted wide receiver Dezmin Lewis and defensive lineman Deandre Coleman to the active roster. Wide receiver Walt Powell and defensive lineman Corbin Bryant will head to injured reserve.

Thomas, a former quarterback for Virginia Tech, was a draft pick of the Cardinals in 2014. Since entering the league, he has only appeared in a couple of games as a QB. After his most recent stint with the Giants ended, Thomas decided on pitching himself as a tight end. Always known for his athleticism, Thomas aims to put his big body to use at a new position. The Bills are hoping that they have found the next Terrelle Pryor – a QB turned pass-catcher – in Thomas.

Lions Sign Logan Thomas To Practice Squad

November 28th, 2016 at 12:54pm CST by Zachary Links

Big changes today for former Virginia Tech quarterback Logan Thomas:

  1. He is now a member of the Lions’ practice squad.
  2. He is no longer a quarterback. Logan Thomas (vertical)

In their signing announcement, the Lions said that they are converting Thomas to tight end. The move comes as a bit of a surprise considering that Thomas is in his third professional season and has been exclusively marketing himself as a QB. With just two games and nine attempted passes on his resume, Thomas is apparently looking to shake things up.

Since being taken in the fourth round of the 2014 draft by the Cardinals, Thomas has bounced around the league a bit. Arizona cut him in September 2015, leading him to stints with the Dolphins and Giants. At 6’6″ and 248 pounds, Thomas may have more success as a pass-catcher.

The Lions had a vacancy on the ten-man practice squad, so they will not have to release anyone to accommodate Thomas. Here is the rundown of their p-squad, courtesy of Roster Resource:

  • WR Jace Billingsley
  • WR Corey Fuller
  • WR T.J. Jones
  • WR Jay Lee
  • TE Logan Thomas
  • G Brandon Thomas
  • G/T Matt Rotheram
  • ILB Brandon Chubb
  • OLB Steve Longa
  • CB Alex Carter

Lions RB Ameer Abdullah On Track To Return?

November 25th, 2016 at 11:29am CST by Zachary Links

Lions running back Ameer Abdullah met with foot specialist Dr. Robert Anderson this week and he received some good news. Anderson found the foot structurally sound with no reason to believe aggravation of the injury might occur, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (video link). Abdullah’s foot has come along better than expected and that could allow him to take the field again this season. There is a realistic chance that he could be activated in three weeks. Ameer Abdullah (vertical)

[RELATED: Lions’ Pettigrew May Return From PUP]

At this stage, the only concern from doctors is that Abdullah could injure another body part while trying to protect his foot. Reading between the lines, it sounds like Abdullah’s status could be largely up to the player. If he is mostly pain-free and confident in his condition, he could be playing again before long. In the meantime, Abdullah will ramp up his rehab to test the injury.

Late last week, it was reported that the Lions are still wrestling between Abdullah and linebacker Jon Bostic as the one player to designate for return. Bostic, who underwent foot surgery earlier this season, has been eligible to come off IR as soon as Week 8. He’s been running on the practice field lately, but the team has likely been stalling to leave open the possibility of an Abdullah comeback. Detroit could use the help at linebacker, but running back is arguably a greater need and Abdullah has the potential to make a larger impact. The team has turned to Theo Riddick, Dwayne Washington, Zach Zenner, and Justin Forsett at different points this season but they have been unable to find consistent results from any of them.

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