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Detroit Lions News & Rumors

Nate Chandler To Visit Lions

May 30th, 2016 at 4:52pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Offensive lineman Nate Chandler hasn’t seen live NFL action since the 2014 campaign, but he’s still garnering interest from around the league. According to Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle (Twitter link), Chandler will visit the Lions on Wednesday. Nate Chandler (Vertical)

Chandler, who turns 27 this week, started 19 games for the Panthers during the 2013-14 seasons, seeing time at both tackle and guard. He required knee surgery midway through 2014, and the injury was serious enough that Chandler was forced to miss the entire 2015 season, as well. Chandler drew interest from the Buccaneers earlier this offseason, participating in a three-day workout on a tryout basis.

In Detroit, Chandler would act as a clear reserve, as the Lions’ starting five is already made up of Riley Reiff, Laken Tomlinson, Travis Swanson, Larry Warford, and first-rounder Taylor Decker. Additionally, the club has already added quite a bit of depth this offseason, signing veteran free agent Geoff Schwartz (who, like Chandler, can play both tackle and guard), while drafting center Graham Glasgow and guard Joe Dahl.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Lions Make Defensive Line Changes

May 30th, 2016 at 3:40pm CST by Zachary Links
  • At the outset of the offseason, the Lions were concerned about their depth along the defensive line. Since then, however, they have addressed the issue by re-signing starters Haloti Ngata and Tyrunn Walker and drafting Alabama’s A’Shawn Robinson in the second round. Robinson could be the future of the position group, with Ngata now 32 years old and Walker playing on a one-year deal, Kyle Meinke of MLive.com writes.

Jay Lee Chose Lions Over Five Other Clubs; Five Camp Battles To Watch

May 29th, 2016 at 12:54pm CST by Rory Parks
  • Former Baylor wideout Jay Lee, overshadowed by teammate Corey Coleman–the Browns’ first-round selection in this year’s draft–in the Baylor offense, had a productive collegiate career in his own right, and he turned down offers from five other clubs to join the Lions as a UDFA, as Justin Rogers of MLive.com writes. Lee said, “[Detroit] is a better fit for me. I had a relationship with the coaches. I got to do a private workout with them, got to come up here and visit and I just felt at home.”
  • Tim Twentyman of DetroitLions.com looks at five of the Lions‘ biggest roster competitions this summer. The competition at defensive tackle, the club’s deepest unit, could be particularly fierce.

Lions Could be Eyeing Free Agent Tight Ends

May 28th, 2016 at 12:10pm CST by Ben Levine

Lions Waive Tim Wright

May 28th, 2016 at 11:35am CST by Zachary Links

SATURDAY, 11:35am: The organization has officially waived Wright, according to the team’s transaction log.

THURSDAY, 3:34pm: The Lions have waived/injured tight end Tim Wright, according to Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press (on Twitter). Wright was acquired by Detroit last August via trade from the Buccaneers and re-signed this March."<strong

[RELATED: Lions’ Ameer Abdullah Has Shoulder Surgery]

Wright, 26, made his NFL mark in 2013 with an impressive rookie year, racking up 54 receptions, 571 yards, and five touchdowns for the Buccaneers. However, he has changed teams twice since then – first traded to New England, then claimed off waivers by Detroit – and has seen his role reduced along the way. In 2015, he caught just nine balls for 77 yards and two TDs for the Lions.

While financial terms of Wright’s March agreement were not disclosed, we do know that he was eligible for restricted free agency this offseason, and wasn’t offered a contract tender by the Lions. A low-end RFA tender would have been worth $1.671MM, so it’s reasonable to assume that his one-year deal was worth less than that — likely for the minimum salary, or close to it.

With Wright out of the picture, the Lions now have five tight ends on the depth chart:Eric Ebron, Brandon Pettigrew, and Matthew Mulligan plus rookies Adam Fuehne and Cole Wick.

Wright was expected to have the opportunity to earn a roster spot and possibly compete for playing time for Detroit in 2016. Now, he’ll try to do the same thing with a new team – once he gets healthy.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Matthew Stafford Adjusting Without Calvin Johnson

May 27th, 2016 at 6:58pm CST by Zachary Links

As Lions OTAs continue, the shadow of Calvin Johnson looms large. How long did it take quarterback Matthew Stafford to get used to life without Megatron?

The Lions signed Marvin Jones in free agency and he’ll likely be their No. 2 option at wide receiver behind Golden Tate. They Lions also picked up Jeremy Kerley in the offseason to add some depth to the position and possibly take the role of punt returner off Tate’s plate. The Lions still have plenty of passing options – including tight ends Eric Ebron and Brandon Pettigrew – but it remains to be seen whether they can collectively fill the void left by Johnson’s retirement.

Lions’ Ameer Abdullah Has Shoulder Surgery

May 26th, 2016 at 11:02am CST by Zachary Links

11:02am: Abdullah should be cleared by the end of the month, a source tells Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com.

10:58am: Lions running back Ameer Abdullah underwent surgery to repair a torn labrum in January, according to a source who spoke with Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press. As of this writing, Abdullah “could miss the rest of the offseason” and it is not clear whether this injury could sideline him for the start of the regular season. Ameer Abdullah (vertical)

The running back hurt his shoulder in the Lions’ December win over the Saints but toughed it out and played in the team’s final two games against the 49ers and Bears. After the season was over, he went to famed surgeon Dr. James Andrews for his operation. Abdullah is said to be ahead of schedule in his rehab, but the Lions intend to proceed cautiously until training camp, Birkett writes.

Last year, the Lions selected Abdullah in the second round and it didn’t take long for his hype train to pick up steam. Ultimately, however, Abdullah found himself in a time share and did not put up the kind of gaudy numbers that some fans expected. In total, the 22-year-old (23 in June) ran for 597 yards off of 143 carries (4.2 yards per carry) with two rushing touchdowns. He also got involves in the passing game, recording 25 catches for 183 yards and one score. Abdullah’s highest rushing total (77 yards) came during his ill-fated performance against the Saints in December.

Abdullah is slotted in as the Lions No. 1 running back with Theo Riddick, Stevan Ridley, and Zach Zenner in support. The team also has seventh-round pick Dwayne Washington fighting for playing time.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Twentyman On Lions' RBs

May 25th, 2016 at 6:25pm CST by Connor J. Byrne
  • In today’s mailbag, a reader asks Tim Twentyman of DetroitLions.com about the Lions‘ perceived lack of change at the running back position. While the Lions did not make a major splash, they did add veteran Stevan Ridley in free agency and Dwayne Washington in the draft. Washington, Twentyman writes, is a no-nonsense tailback who boasts big-play potential thanks to his size and speed. Those two backs will support incumbent starter Ameer Abdullah and pass-catching specialist Theo Riddick.

Lions Waive Darius Johnson

May 24th, 2016 at 5:50pm CST by Zachary Links
  • The Lions waived offensive lineman Darius Johnson on Tuesday, as Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com writes. Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press adds (via Twitter) that Johnson was waived with an injury waiver designation. Johnson, a Middle Tennessee State product, signed with Detroit following the team’s rookie minicamp.

Stafford Extension Could Depend on 2016 Production

May 21st, 2016 at 12:43pm CST by Ben Levine
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