Ryan Grant To Visit Detroit

[RipCity32]

They didn't find a suitable insurance policy in the draft, so the Lions are turning to free agency to help a backfield clouded by injury concerns.

Running back Ryan Grant, who spent the past five years in Green Bay and has two 1,200-yard seasons, is scheduled to visit the Lions on Monday, his agent Alan Herman wrote in a text message to the Detroit Free Press. The sides have had contract talks and are within striking distance of a deal.

The Lions have been relatively quiet in free agency this year, but are interested in Grant as a veteran backup for Jahvid Best and Mikel Leshoure, who both finished last season on injured reserve. Best suffered two concussions last year and hasn't been cleared for contact, though general manager Martin Mayhew said this week he expects that to happen next month. Leshoure missed his rookie season with a torn Achilles tendon.

The Lions expect both players to be part of the rotation and re-signed Kevin Smith, but Grant is a versatile fallback option. He visited the Patriots before the draft and showed interest in re-signing with the Packers, but hasn't been in contact with Green Bay recently, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

An undrafted free agent out of Notre Dame, Grant's production tailed off the past two seasons. He missed most of 2010 with a severe ankle injury and rushed for 559 yards in 15 games last year, splitting carries with James Starks.

Pretty sure we already extended him an offer. Certainly couldn't hurt. Will fill the role Mo Morris had.

 

[Elite]

Have always liked him, simply because he grew up less than an hour away from me and he went to Bosco where some of my friends go. Didn't realize he was 29 already though, doesn't feel like he's been on the NFL scene for that long.