Lions make Anquan Boldin signing official, make three other transactions

As Detroit Lions players report to training camp on Thursday, the team made a few transactions in preparation for Friday’s first practice.

The Lions made the Anquan Boldin signing official, but did not release contract terms. In addition to the Boldin transaction, the Lions also added linebacker Dominique Tovell, while releasing receiver Damian Copeland and linebacker Jerry Franklin.

Tovell, an undrafted rookie, spent some of the offseason already with the New Orleans Saints. In college, Tovell led the University of Louisiana at Lafayette defense in tackles with 79. He also impressed with 14.5 tackles for loss, fourth-most in the Sun Belt conference.

Copeland leaves the team just a little over a month after signing with Detroit. Previously, he had spent two years with the Jaguars, but on the injured reserve list both years. With the addition of Boldin, there was just no room for Copeland.

Franklin, too, ends a short stint with the Lions. Franklin was signed by the Lions back in February after bouncing around the league since entering as an undrafted free agent in 2012. He has jumped from the Bears to the Chiefs to the Saints and finally to the Lions. Unfortunately for Franklin, he’ll have to find another home on the precipice of training camp.