The Detroit Lions have officially signed offensive guard Leonard Davis and running back Kevin Smith to one-year deals. The moves were just announced by the team, as were the moves to release cornerback Anthony Madison and running back Eldra Buckley.
Madison spent the preseason with the Lions and was let go during the final round of roster cuts. Detroit opted to bring him back after special teams star Isaiah Ekejiuba went down with a season-ending shoulder injury in the Vikings game. Madison is an excellent special teams player, but he was also expendable, so the Lions released him to make room for Davis.
Buckley was just picked up a few weeks ago. After it came out that Jerome Harrison had a brain tumor, the Lions needed someone to take his spot on the roster. They selected Buckley to be his replacement, but with Smith returning, Buckley became the odd man out at running back.
(Side note: Smith will be No. 30 for the Lions, according to the team's roster. Keiland Williams is No. 34, so Smith couldn't use the same number from his first stint with the team. Davis will wear No. 75 for the Lions.)