Lions work out ex-Michigan State QB Brian Lewerke, ex-Michigan RB Karan Higdon with 6 others

College football: Michigan vs. Michigan State - Second Take

Michigan State quarterback Brian Lewerke (14) scrambles during their Big Ten football game against Michigan at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, on Saturday, October 7, 2017. (Mike Mulholland | MLive.com)Mike Mulholland | MLive.com

ALLEN PARK -- The Detroit Lions hosted eight players on Tuesday, including former Michigan State quarterback Brian Lewerke and Michigan running back Karan Higdon.

Lewerke was with the Patriots for two different stints this offseason. But the undrafted rookie was cut again as teams set initial 53-man rosters and practice squads. Higdon spent last season on Houston’s practice squad but was cut as the Texans moved things around over the weekend. Detroit also worked out receiver Emmanuel Butler, receiver Cameron Meredith, defensive end Jalen Jelks, defensive tackle Demarcus Christmas, and defensive backs Breon Borders and Evan Foster.

When it comes to quarterbacks, Matthew Stafford is the undisputed starter and Chase Daniel is making $13 million to be his primary backup. The Lions sent David Blough to the practice squad over the weekend but used one of the team’s four protected spots on the second-year quarterback. Stafford is coming off three back injuries and a false-positive COVID score, so investing in the game’s most premium position is never a bad call if the shoe fits.

Related: Detroit Lions protect 4 practice squad players from being poached

It’s even tougher to envision a future for Higdon in Detroit. The Lions are so loaded at running back they let their most recent fifth-round pick (Jason Huntley) go for nothing. They recently signed Adrian Peterson, adding to a crowded backfield with Kerryon Johnson, rookie D’Andre Swift, Ty Johnson, Bo Scarbrough and converted fullback Jason Cabinda. It’s also worth noting Detroit used another of its protected practice squad spots on running back Jonathan Williams.

Of the other six, Meredith’s name is the one that jumps off the page. He was a significant part of Chicago’s offense in 2016, catching 66 passes for 88 yards and four scores. He didn’t play in 2017, though, and was limited to nine catches for 114 yards and one score in six games with the Saints in 2018. Detroit’s main roster receiver depth is ridiculous with Kenny Golladay, Marvin Jones, Danny Amendola at the top with Marvin Hall, Quintez Cephus and Jamal Agnew backing them up. Victor Bolden and Tom Kennedy are the two pass catchers currently on the practice squad.

Borders has 13 games of experience spread across three seasons with the Bills, Jaguars and Washington Football Team. He’s mainly served on special teams. Jelks has yet to appear in a game since going in the seventh-round to the Cowboys in 2019. Christmas, Seattle’s sixth-round pick last year, also doesn’t come with any NFL experience.

Related: First Lions depth chart: Kerryon Johnson is starting running back, D’Andre Swift fourth string

Lewerke finished with a 22-16 record at Michigan State. He was a captain each of his last two seasons. He leaves the program with the record for most offensive yards (9,548) and pass attempts (1,249) while sitting second in completions (721), and fourth in passing yards (8,293) and passing touchdowns (47) in school history.

Higdon, on the other hand, is a former first-team All-Big Ten running back. He finished his career with 2,616 yards and 27 touchdowns on 471 carries in four seasons in Ann Arbor. Higdon received extensive run during last year’s preseason in Houston, racking up with 36 carries for 103 yards in four games.


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