Lions finally take dip in NFL free agent pool
While still taking care of retaining players from the 2021 roster, the Detroit Lions appear to have finally jumped into the free agent market.
The Lions have agreed to a oneyear deal with wide receiver D.J. Chark for a guaranteed US$10 million. Teams are not allowed to officially announce free agent signings until 4 p.m. on Wednesday.
Chark, 25, was a Pro Bowl selection in 2019 for the Jacksonville Jaguars after posting 73 catches for 1,008 yards and eight touchdowns. However, the 6-foot-4, 198-pound receiver, who was a second-round pick of Jacksonville in 2018, has missed 16 games with injuries during the past two seasons and was limited to four games in 2021 with a fractured ankle.
The Lions officially announced on Tuesday that safety Tracy Walker had agreed to a new threeyear deal. A third-round pick of the Lions in 2018, Walker led Detroit with 108 tackles in 2021.
The club also announced centre Evan Brown has been signed for the 2022 season. He appeared in 16 games for the Lions in 2021 and made 12 starts.
The Lions are also reportedly bringing back defensive end Charles Harris on a two-year deal for $14 million. A first-round pick of the Miami Dolphins in 2017, Harris signed a one-year deal with the Lions in 2021 and started 14 games for the team after Romeo Okwara suffered a season-ending injury. He had 10 tackles for a loss, registered 7.5 sacks, 16 quarterback hits and two forced fumbles.
LIONS ADD PICKS
The Detroit Lions were awarded three compensatory picks in next month's NFL draft on Tuesday.
In 2021, Detroit lost receivers Kenny Golladay and Marvin Jones, return man Jamal Agnew, linebacker Jarrad Davis and kicker Matt Prater.
The Lions now have eight picks in the seven-round draft, with three picks in the top 34 selections and five in the top 100.
TIGERS SIGN VETERANS
The Detroit Tigers signed right-handed pitcher Chase Anderson and catcher Ryan Lavarnway to minor-league contracts on Tuesday with an invite to spring training.
The 34-year-old Anderson has pitched in eight major league seasons, making 190 appearances and 176 starts between Arizona (201415), Milwaukee (2016-19), Toronto (2020) and Philadelphia (2021).
The right-handed hitting Lavarnway has never appeared in more than 47 major league games in a season. In 165 career games, he has a .217 batting average with nine home runs and 50 runs driven in.