Lions Sign Several Players To Futures Deals

With the season over, the Detroit Lions have wasted little time in moving on to the offseason portion of the calendar. No, they haven't worked out new deals with some of their free agents (or even their head coach), but they did sign a couple players to futures deals on Monday: defensive end Ugo Chinasa and cornerback Ross Weaver.

Both of these players spent time on the Lions practice squad during the season. Chinasa joined in the middle of November after the Lions lost defensive end Kyle Moore to the Buffalo Bills. Here's a quick look at Chinasa's career:

Chinasa is a first-year player from Oklahoma State. He spent some time with the Carolina Panthers this summer before being let go during the final round of roster cuts.

Weaver was just added at the end of December. He played college football at Michigan State and has spent time with the Miami Dolphins, Seattle Seahawks and Dallas Cowboys. He also has played for the Arena Football League's Jacksonville Sharks.

Speaking of players that were on the Lions practice squad, cornerback Donovan Warren has landed with the Chicago Bears. He was on the Lions practice squad early in the season before being let go.

UPDATE: Dave Birkett reports that center Dan Gerberry has also signed a futures deal with the Lions. He has been with the team for the last few years.

UPDATE II: Add wide receiver Terrence Toliver to the list as well.

UPDATE III: Nine total players signed futures deals. In addition to Chinasa, Weaver, Gerberry and Toliver, the Lions also signed WR Marcus Harris, WR Nate Hughes, TE Nathan Overbay, OG Jacques McClendon and LB Slade Norris. Everybody but Hughes was on the active practice squad. (Hughes was on the practice squad injured reserve.)