Lions sign Justin Forsett to bolster running back group
Allen Park – The Detroit Lions have signed running back Justin Forsett, following a workout with the team on Tuesday.
An eight-year veteran, Forsett has averaged 4.8 yards per carry during his career. A two-year starter for the Baltimore Ravens, he was released last week as part of the team’s youth movement at the position. He had been struggling to start the year, averaging 3.2 yards on 31 carries.
In Detroit, Forsett joins a backfield rotation of Theo Riddick, Dwayne Washington and Zach Zenner.
Riddick has been serving as the starter after a foot injury landed Ameer Abdullah on injured reserve. Washington, the explosive rookie, is currently nursing an ankle injury that sidelined him last weekend against the Eagles.
After a strong start to the season, the Lions' ground game has tailed off since Abdullah's Week 2 injury. After five weeks, the team ranks 23rd in yards per game and 19th (89.8) in yards per carry (3.9). Riddick is having his best year as a ball carrier, but is still averaging just 3.4 yards per carry.
The Lions have particularly struggled between the tackles, which is where the compact 5-foot-8, 195-pound Forsett should help.
The addition of the veteran back will likely reduce the roles of Zenner and Washington, once he's cleared to return.
Zenner was a healthy scratch the first two games of the season and didn't register his first carry until Washington went down. Zenner has managed just 21 yards on 10 carries, including nine yards with seven totes against the Eagles.
Likewise, Washington's role in the offense was minimal prior to Abdullah's injury. The rookie could factor back into the return man competition once his ankle has mended. Andre Roberts is currently struggling on kickoffs, averaging 20.4 yards per attempt.
Forsett’s time in Baltimore didn’t overlap with Jim Caldwell’s stint as the franchise’s offensive coordinator. The back arrived the year Caldwell took the head coaching job with the Lions, but the two have crossed paths. Forsett was in Indianapolis for a short stretch during his rookie season in 2008, where Caldwell served as the team’s quarterbacks coach.
“It goes back a long time, but I love him as a man and a coach,” Forsett told NFL Radio during a Monday interview.
Forsett also said he received interest from multiple teams following his release in Baltimore, but he put an emphasis on having an opportunity for playing time. It's not inconceivable to think he could be the lead back in Detroit's rotation once he becomes familiar with the team's scheme.
To clear roster space for Forsett, the Lions waived linebacker Steve Longa. He had been promoted off the team's practice squad last week and played special teams against the Eagles.
The Lions also announced defensive end Wallace Gilberry has been released off injured reserve and offensive tackle Brian Mihalik has been added to the practice squad.