- Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press believes the Lions opted for veteran Justin Forsett instead of a younger, high-upside back like Karlos Williams simply because they weren’t looking for a project for their backfield. With Ameer Abdullah, Theo Riddick, and Dwayne Washington all under contract for the next few years, Birkett believes Forsett was a better fit for Detroit’s locker room. Once Riddick returns from injury, Birkett believes he and Washington will split the work about 60-40, with Forsett filling a supporting role.
- In the same piece, Birkett writes that there is a very good chance that Matthew Stafford signs a third contract with the Lions next summer, no matter how the teams finishes in 2016. Indeed, Birkett believes the only way Stafford does not sign a new deal with Detroit is if he would rather hit free agency in a couple of years, which currently seems unlikely.
- The Lions gave Justin Forsett a one-year deal for the veteran’s minimum with nothing guaranteed, as Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press writes. That means Forsett will earn less than $625K for the final 12 weeks of the season since the deal is prorated.
Thursday’s practice squad transactions from around the NFL:
Baltimore Ravens
- Signed: CB Robertson Daniel
- Cut: G Jarell Broxton
Detroit Lions
- Signed: LB Steve Longa
- Cut: LB Zaviar Gooden
Los Angeles Rams
- Signed: DL Morgan Fox
New York Giants
- Signed: CB Michael Hunter
- Placed On P-Squad IR: DB Donte Deayon
This offseason, the Lions signed Andre Caldwell with the idea that he could serve as a top pass-catching option behind Golden Tate and free agent pickup Marvin Jones. Unfortunately, he broke a bone in his hand in the summer and the Lions wound up cutting him in August. Caldwell is still looking for work today and it’s possible that he could double back to Detroit. The wide receiver visited with the Lions last week, as Justin Rogers of The Detroit News tweets. 
[RELATED: Lions DT Haloti Ngata To Miss Time]
It was initially believed that Caldwell’s injury was a season-ender but between his meeting with the Lions and his recent workout with the Saints, it sounds like he might be ready to return to action. Currently, the Lions have four wide receivers on the roster in Jones, Tate, Anquan Boldin, and Andre Roberts. They’re also carrying three WRs on the taxi squad: Jace Billingsley, T.J. Jones, and Jay Lee.
Caldwell, 31, appeared in 14 games for the Broncos last season, catching 10 passes (22 targets) for 72 yards. While he wasn’t one of the primary targets in Denver, he did also have two touchdowns on the year.
Rogers also hears that defensive backs Sergio Brown, Asa Jackson, Jaiquawn Jarrett, Bacarri Rambo, and Major Wright auditioned for the Lions.
Earlier today, the Steelers made a notable practice squad move when they signed running back Karlos Williams. Here’s the rest of today’s practice squad transactions:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed: QB Zac Dysert
Carolina Panthers
- Signed: CB Lou Young
- Cut: S Marcus Ball
Cleveland Browns
- Signed: OL Anthony Fabiano
Detroit Lions
- Signed: WR Jay Lee
- Cut: DB Charles Washington
Miami Dolphins
- Signed: RB Senorise Perry
New England Patriots
- Signed: WR Shaq Evans
- Cut: FB Glenn Gronkowski
New York Giants
- Signed: LB Eric Pinkins
Oakland Raiders
- Signed: TE Cooper Helfet
Washington Redskins
- Signed: DL A.J. Francis
Lions defensive tackle Haloti Ngata is expected to miss 2-3 weeks, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). He is currently undergoing tests to confirm that timetable. 
Ngata left the Lions’ 24-23 win over the Eagles with a shoulder injury. So far in this young season, the advanced metrics haven’t been fond of Ngata’s play. He ranks as the 58th best interior defender in the league out of 111 qualified players, according to Pro Football Focus. His pass rush score of 69.6 would put him in at least the middle of the pack, but he has earned an atrocious 48.7 mark for his run defense.
In his first season in the Motor City, Ngata started 15 games, posting 15 tackles and 2.5 sacks. This spring, the Lions re-upped him on a two-year pact worth $12MM with $6MM fully guaranteed.
The Lions rank 21st in the NFL in run defense this season.
- Lions defensive lineman Kerry Hyder has made an agent change. The 25-year-old will now be represented by Select Sports Group (Twitter link). Hyder, who was previously repped by Rich Rosa and Tony Agone, appears to be in the midst a breakout season with five sacks through five games.
- The Lions waived linebacker Steve Longa and released defensive end Wallace Gilberry from the reserve/injured list, Tim Twentyman of DetroitLions.com tweets. Gilberry, 32 in December, has posted 31.5 career sacks.
The Lions worked out edge rusher O’Brien Schofield today, according to Adam Caplan of ESPN.com (Twitter link). Detroit also took at look at defensive tackle Markus Kuhn and running back Terrence Magee.
[RELATED: Lions Sign Justin Forsett]
With Ezekiel Ansah and DeAndre Levy both nursing multi-week injuries, the Lions are on the hunt for bodies along the front seven. Schofield, 29, would fit that mold, and he’s back on the free agent market after being released by the Falcons last week. Schofield followed Dan Quinn from the Seattle to Atlanta in 2015, and proceeded to post 28 tackles, four tackles for losses, two sacks, 13 quarterback hits, and one forced fumble.
Magee, meanwhile, probably isn’t going to be signed now that Detroit has inked veteran Justin Forsett. The 23-year-old spent a bit of time with the Seahawks this season, but only managed three carries. Kuhn, 30, has 39 career games under his belt, all coming with the Giants from 2011-15.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Today’s practice squad moves:
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed: LB Davis Tull
- Cut: P Michael Palardy
Buffalo Bills
- Signed: K Marshall Morgan (Twitter link via Vic Carucci of The Buffalo News)
Detroit Lions
- Signed: OL Brian Mihalik
Miami Dolphins
- Signed: C Jake Brendel, T Terry Poole (Twitter link via Howard Balzer)
- Cut: G Jamil Douglas (Twitter link via Adam Schefter of ESPN.com)
New England Patriots
- Signed: OL Ian Silberman (Twitter link via Mike Reiss of ESPN.com)
New York Giants
- Signed: QB Logan Thomas (Twitter link via James Kratch of NJ.com)
Philadelphia Eagles
- Signed: LB Don Cherry, CB Duke Thomas
- Cut: FB Andrew Bonnet, G Darrell Greene
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: FB Julian Howsare
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Cut: LB Josh Keyes
Washington Redskins
- Signed: DL Joey Mbu
- Cut: CB Robertson Daniel, LB Jason Fanaika