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Dorin Dickerson's time with the Detroit Lions has already come to an end (for now, anyway). The tight end signed with the Lions earlier this week after taking part in a workout, and he was released on Saturday. Why? The Lions decided to sign wide receiver Jeremy Ross from their practice squad.
When Dickerson was added, the thinking was that he would provide extra depth at tight end with Tony Scheffler out because of a concussion. Dickerson also has the ability to play some wide receiver, so his versatility was an added plus. However, he's now off the team a little more than 24 hours before the Lions' next game.
Why release Dickerson and add Ross from the practice squad? Perhaps there's an injury at wide receiver, or perhaps the Lions feel comfortable with the situation with Scheffler and don't feel that they need another tight end going forward. Given Ross' ability to return kicks, that seemed potentially relevant to his addition to the 53-man roster, but that doesn't sound like the case after all:
Ross was with the #Packers last. Told me yesterday he's worked almost exclusively at WR since signing with the Lions. No return duties yet.
— Dave Birkett (@davebirkett) October 19, 2013
Ross was actually released by the Green Bay Packers after fumbling the ball away to the Cincinnati Bengals on a kick return, so it's possible he could get another shot at playing against them on Sunday thanks to his last-second promotion.