Seeking an injection of veteran poise into their tight end room, the Lions inked former Packer Andrew Quarless to a deal on Monday, the team announced.
Quarless will serve a two-game ban to start the season for violating the league's personal-conduct policy, as reported last week by NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport.
"We are aware of the upcoming NFL suspension of Andrew Quarless," Lions general manager Bob Quinn said in a statement. "We have thoroughly researched the incident that caused the suspension and have talked at length with Andrew about this. Andrew has been forthright and honest about the situation and he has gone through the process within the legal system. As an organization we are comfortable with adding Andrew to the roster and look forward to seeing him compete for the rest of the preseason."
The news is likely an indication of some looming roster updates in Detroit. Veteran Brandon Pettigrew started the season on the PUP list after a December ACL tear, and Eric Ebron was carted off the practice field a week ago with what appeared to be a serious Achilles injury. Though Ebron was moving well after the incident, he did not play in Detroit's preseason opener.
Detroit was rolling with the healthy tandem of Matthew Mulligan and Orson Charles in the meantime.
Over his best two seasons in Green Bay, Quarless had 61 catches for 635 yards in five touchdowns between 2013 and 2014. Injuries shortened his 2015 season to just one game and four catches. If nothing else, he adds a body to practice, where the Lions have been waiting for a pro style pass catching tight end to show up for a little more than a week now.
