Detroit Lions Rumors & News - Pro Football Rumors

Lions To Work Out Jimmy Clausen

July 24th, 2016 at 5:29pm CST by Sam Robinson

Jimmy Clausen‘s Monday workout tour will venture west from Washington D.C., with the well-traveled backup set to audition for the Lions, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets.

Similarly to his Redskins showcase, Clausen will throw to visiting wide receivers on Monday in Detroit, reports the Detroit Free Press’ Dave Birkett, who adds (Twitter link) the Lions are finalizing a list of pass-catchers who will participate in the workout.

The 28-year-old Clausen threw to free agent Marlon Brown, among others in a group that included soon-to-be Redskins signing Dez Stewart, in Washington. Lions GM Bob Quinn hasn’t made it a secret his team was looking to add prospective veteran help late in the offseason. The team has been linked to Anquan Boldin and had a visit scheduled with Arian Foster before the veteran running back signed with the Dolphins prior to heading to Detroit.

The Lions possess the seventh-most cap space in the NFL at $19.3MM and don’t have a particularly deep stable of passers behind Matthew Stafford, as Roster Resource shows. Longtime Lion Dan Orlovsky resides behind the starter, with sixth-round pick Jake Rudock joining the group as well.

A former second-round Panthers pick out of Notre Dame, Clausen went 1-9 as a starter in 2010 for the Panthers, and once the team drafted Cam Newton, the former highly regarded prospect’s place as a backup quarterback became entrenched. The Bears waived Clausen last November, and the quarterback-depleted Ravens claimed him. Clausen started three games last season for the Bears and Ravens, losing all three while completing 57% of his passes and throwing two touchdown passes and four interceptions.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Best Training Camp Battle Could Be At Wide Receiver

July 24th, 2016 at 12:51pm CST by Rory Parks

Kyle Meinke of MLive.com says the Lions‘ hottest training camp battle could be at wide receiver, where a host of veterans and unproven youngsters will compete for playing time behind Marvin Jones and Golden Tate.

NFC North Notes: Packers, Matthews, Peppers

July 22nd, 2016 at 12:40pm CST by Zachary Links

The NFL is looking into whether Packers linebackers Clay Matthews and Julius Peppers used performance enhancing drugs, but team president and CEO Mark Murphy says that the organization has not been looped in on theAl Jazeera investigation as it pertains to its players.

“The league is pursuing that,” Murphy said, according to Michael Cohen of the Journal Sentinel. “I know there’s been some resistance from the NFLPA about the credibility of some of the sources there. But I don’t think we know much more than that.”

Matthes, Peppers, and the other players cited in the infamous Al Jazeera documentary have denied any wrongdoing. The league is planning to interview all of the players named in the December doc, but the union is resisting on grounds that it will set a precedent going forward.

Here’s more from the NFC North:

Tim Twentyman of DetroitLions.com previewed the Lions‘ cornerback group heading into training camp. Of course, Darius Slay, Nevin Lawson, Quandre Diggs, and 2015 third-round pick Alex Carter are locks for the 53-man roster. After that, Johnson Bademosi, Darrin Walls, Ian Wells, Crezdon Butler, Charles Washington, Adairius Barnes, and Keith Lewis are all fighting to make the cut. Bademosi should be there thanks to his special teams skills. Meanwhile, both Walls and Butler offer veteran experience and could also make a case for sticking around in September. For a complete look at the Lions’ roster, check out their depth chart on Roster Resource.
In looking at the Vikings‘ running back depth chart, Matt Vensel of the Star Tribune notes that fullback Zach Line could be in danger of losing his spot to Blake Renaud, a converted collegiate linebacker. Renaud spent the 2015 season on the team’s practice squad, a sign that they hold him in high regard even as many teams have moved away from the fullback position.
Earlier this week, the Bears signed veteran guard Amini Silatolu.

Lions Sign Luke Marquardt

July 21st, 2016 at 8:15pm CST by Zachary Links

The Lions announced that they have signed free agent tackle Luke Marquardt. Contract terms were not disclosed. A native of Sammamish, Wash., the 6’6″ lineman joins Detroit after signing with the Jets earlier this season. He began his NFL career with the 49ers in 2013 as an UDFA out of Azusa Pacific.

Latest On Lions' Running Backs

July 20th, 2016 at 9:02pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The Lions finished 27th in rushing DVOA last season and still have uncertainty along their offensive line, meaning their running game is a question mark as the club heads into the 2016 campaign, writes Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com. Free agent Arian Foster was scheduled to work out for Detroit this week, but the team never got a chance to take a look at the veteran running back before he signed with the Dolphins. Ameer Abdullah and Stevan Ridley both are dealing with injury issues, while Zach Zenner doesn’t have much of a track record. Theo Riddick is probably the surest bet on the roster, but he’s been deployed primarily as a receiving back. Still, Rothstein doesn’t expect the Lions to add an outside option to the position group.

Lions Sign Quanterus Smith

July 20th, 2016 at 4:54pm CST by Zachary Links

The Lions signed defensive end/outside linebacker Quanterus Smith, according to Adam Caplan of ESPN.com (on Twitter). Smith inked a reserve/futures deal with Jacksonville in January but was waived by the team last month. The Western Kentucky product saw time in 15 games for the Broncos in 2014.

Lions Want To Improve Running Game

July 18th, 2016 at 8:57pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Free agent tight end David Ausberry tore his Achilles during a November workout with the Jets, PFR has learned. Clearly, the injury was devastating turn of events for Ausberry, who spent last summer with the Lions before being waived in August. The 28-year-old Ausberry, who is expected to be healthy by September, appeared in 34 games with the Raiders from 2011-2014 after being selected in the seventh round out of USC.

Though he never actually made the visit, Arian Foster was scheduled to meet with the Lions after he spent time with the Dolphins, and although Detroit never got the chance to make its pitch, the Lions’ interest in Foster shows that the club wants to improve its running back depth, as Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com writes. Detroit is currently dealing with injuries at the position, as Ameer Abdullah hasn’t practiced all offseason after undergoing labrum surgery, while Stevan Ridley has been out with an undisclosed injury. So while the Lions didn’t land Foster, it wouldn’t be shocking if the team continued to look for outside help.

Stevan Ridley Favorite To Win No. 3 RB Job?

July 17th, 2016 at 8:58pm CST by Sam Robinson

Beyond Ameer Abdullah, Theo Riddick and fullback Michael Burton, the Lions will have a host of fringe ball-carriers competing for their final two running back jobs — assuming Detroit keeps four tailbacks. Ridley looks like the favorite to win the No. 3 job, which Tim Twenyman of DetroitLions.com categorizes as a change-of-pace back. Joining George Winn, Zach Zenner and rookie seventh-rounder Dwayne Washington, the 27-year-old Ridley played in nine games last year with the Jets but received just 36 carries.
Of course, the Lions’ backfield dynamic could change if they sign Arian Foster, who is set to visit Detroit this week.

Arian Foster To Work Out For Lions

July 17th, 2016 at 7:34pm CST by Sam Robinson

Arian Foster will attempt to find a second NFL employer this week, making commitments to visit the Dolphins and Lions, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com reports (on Twitter). The former All-Pro will first visit the Dolphins, being scheduled to do so on Monday, and then meet with Lions representatives later this week.

Coming off a torn Achilles’ tendon last October, Foster had previously been connected to three teams this offseason. It’s looking like two could well be the Dolphins and Lions, both in need of backfield depth.

Detroit parted ways with Joique Bell this offseason and is seemingly in need of running back help, with Ameer Abdullah coming off of an offseason surgery and Theo Riddick profiling as more of a passing-down specialist. The Lions also picked up Stevan Ridley, who hasn’t enjoyed a significant role since a season-ending injury ended his Patriots tenure prematurely in 2014.

Teryl Austin A 2017 Head Coaching Candidate?

July 14th, 2016 at 10:43pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Bears defensive coordinator Vic Fangio and Lions defensive coordinator Teryl Austin are among the NFL assistants who could be candidates for head coaching jobs next offseason, Mike Sando of ESPN.com writes (Insider subscription required). Both play-callers have been interviewed for a number of gigs in the past, but despite both having success at various stops, neither has ever been hired for a head job. Other options who could expect phone calls next year are the Colts‘ Rob Chudzinski, the Buccaneers‘ Mike Smith, and the Vikings‘ George Edwards, per Sando.

Detroit Lions News & Rumors