DETROIT – The Detroit Lions are in the middle of the pack for cap space as the NFL heads into its free agency period this week.
The Lions have several holes to fill, but it's unclear how active the team will be in free agency, which opened last Wednesday afternoon.
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Here are some of the latest Detroit Lions rumors and news:
Lions sign TE Luke Willson
The Detroit Lions have added tight end Luke Willson after releasing Eric Ebron earlier this month.
Willson, a native on LaSalle, Ontario, has spent his five NFL seasons with the Seattle Seahawks, racking up nearly 90 catches and 11 touchdowns in his career.
Lions meeting with DT Alan Branch, Jonathan Hankins; Could sign DT Ricky Jean-Francois
ESPN's Field Yates reports: Source: the Lions are expected to bring in free agent DTs Johnathan Hankins and Alan Branch for a visit. Former Titans DT Sylvester Williams is also on their radar.
Branch is a former Michigan Wolverine and has spent the last three years with the Patriots. Hankins is a Detroit area native who played at Ohio State.
RapSheet reports another Patriot could be heading to Detroit: Another #Patriots and #Lions connection: Detroit is working on a deal for former NE DT Ricky Jean-Francois, source said. Will add depth.
Lions sign free agent DT Sylvester Williams
Williams joins the Lions after spending the 2017 season with the Tennessee Titans, where he played in 15 games (11 starts) and finished with 20 tackles (12 solo). Prior to Tennessee, Williams played four seasons (2013-16) with the Denver Broncos.
Lions sign former Giants linebacker Devon Kennard, ex-Bears linebacker Jones
Kennard joins the Lions following a four-year stint (2014-17) with the New York Giants, where he played in 52 games (35 starts) during that span. He finished the 2017 season with 41 total tackles (24 solo), four sacks, two pass defenses and one fumble recovery.
Jones comes to Detroit after spending the past four seasons (2014-17) with the Chicago Bears. He finished the 2017 season with a career-high 84 total tackles (57 solo), in addition to two sacks, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.
Lions sign RB LeGarrette Blount
Blount’s NFL experience over the last five seasons includes the following teams; New England Patriots (2013, five games in 2014, 2015, 2016), Pittsburgh Steelers (11 games in 2014) and Philadelphia Eagles (2017). During that span he was a member of three Super Bowl Championships, including Super Bowls XLIX and LI with New England and Super Bowl LII with Philadelphia. He appeared in all 16 games (11 starts) for the Eagles in 2017 and finished with 173 carries for 766 yards and two touchdowns, as well as eight receptions for 50 yards and one touchdown.
Lions re-sign running back Zach Zenner
Zenner returns for his fourth season in Detroit after originally joining the team as an undrafted rookie free agent out of South Dakota State in 2015. He saw action in eight games last season and finished with 14 carries for 26 yards and one touchdown, in addition to four special teams tackles.
Lions release tight end Eric Ebron
The Lions have released former first-round pick Eric Ebron after four seasons.
Adam Caplan reports the Lions are meeting with Brent Celek.
UPDATE: Ebron has signed with the Colts.
Lions sign G Kenny Wiggins
Wiggins comes to Detroit after spending the past four seasons (2014-17) with the Chargers. He started all 16 games in 2017, helping Los Angeles finish with an NFL-low 18 sacks as the Chargers led the League in passing yards per game (276.9).
Lions re-sign DT Christian Ringo
After beginning 2017 as a member of the Cincinnati Bengals, Ringo joined the Lions practice squad in September 2017 before playing in six games for Detroit last season.
Lions sign ex-Seahawks CB DeShawn Shead
Shead comes to the Lions after spending his first six years (2012-17) in the NFL with the Seattle Seahawks, where he appeared in 54 career games (22 starts) during that span. He participated in two (2013-2014 seasons) Super Bowls with the Seahawks, including Seattle’s SB XLVIII win over Denver.
Lions re-sign backup QB Jake Rudock
Rudock returns to the Lions after originally joining the team as a sixth-round (191st overall) draft selection in 2016 out of the University of Michigan. He appeared in three games last season.
Lions re-sign linebacker Nick Bellore
Bellore, who joined the Lions in 2017 as a free agent, returns to Detroit after appearing in 13 games (two starts) last season. He finished the season with six tackles (five solo) and six special teams tackles. He also recorded his first-career receiving touchdown on a one-yard pass at Baltimore (12/3).
Lions re-sign CB Nevin Lawson
Lawson, entering his fifth season with the Lions, started all 15 games in which he played in 2017. He finished last season with 43 total tackles (37 solo), four pass defenses, one forced fumble and his first-career fumble recovery, which he returned for a 44-yard touchdown against Cleveland (11/12).
Lions lose CB DJ Hayden to Jags
Adam Caplan: CB DJ Hayden expected to sign with #Jaguars: 3 years, $19 million with $9.5 million guaranteed. Upside to $21 million.
DB Don Carey heading to Jacksonville
RapSheet: Veteran DB Don Carey is returning to the Jacksonville #Jaguars per source. He'll look to be a core special teams player for the Jaguars.
DT Haloti Ngata likely signing with Philadelphia
Adam Schefter: Former Lions’ DT Haloti Ngata intends to sign a one-year deal with Eagles.
Lions re-sign Tavon Wilson
The Lions will retain safety Tavon Wilson on a 2-year-deal worth $7 million. Wilson returns to Detroit after originally joining the Lions in 2016 as an unrestricted free agent following a four-year stint (2012-15) with the New England Patriots.
Lions re-sign DE Kerry Hyder, LS Don Muhlbach
Defensive end Kerry Hyder will return after suffering a season ending injury last year. Muhlbach returns for his 15th season in Detroit.
Live blog: Latest NFL Free Agency rumors:
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