Lions Sign Entire Practice Squad, CFL Defensive Back

In preparation for the offseason, the Lions signed their eight practice squad players and a defensive back from the Canadian Football League.  Although the practice squad players were with the team in that capacity, it was necessary to sign them to the active roster for the offseason, which isn't a problem since they don't have to worry about being down to only 53 players until after the final preseason game this summer.

Below is the full list of the players the Lions signed.

WR Michael Ray Garvin
WR Kole Heckendorf
TE Dan Gronkowski
OG Kurt Quarterman
DE Robert Henderson
DT Terrance Taylor
DB Jahi Word-Daniels
DB Paul Pratt
DB Jonathan Hefney (from the CFL)

A little background info on Hefney: He played for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and was the East Division Most Outstanding Rookie.  He had 66 tackles and 4 interceptions in 18 games for the Blue Bombers.  Before heading to the CFL, Hefney had stints with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Philadelphia Eagles.  He was an undrafted free agent and is now looking to make it in the NFL after an impressive stay in Canada during the 2009 season.