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Even though their 2016 season ended on Saturday, it didn’t take long for Bob Quinn and the Detroit Lions to get back to work. Roster tinkering never takes a day off and on Monday, the Lions were back at it, adding a wide receiver to their roster. According to former Packers wide receiver Jared Abbrederis, he is now a member of the Lions roster:
I am also very thankful and excited to be joining the @Lions! Can't wait to start the new journey with my new team! Time to get to work!
— Jared Abbrederis (@abbrecadabra) January 9, 2017
Abbrederis was a fifth-round pick by the Packers in 2014. The local product from the University of Wisconsin lost his entire rookie year to an ACL injury, but made an appearance in 10 games in 2015, hauling in nine catches for 111 yards, including 57 of those yards against the Lions in their loss to Detroit at Lambeau field.
Abbrederis was waived by the Packers back in October after reaching an injury settlement for a thigh contusion.
The Lions had a lot of receiver depth on their practice squad last year, but chose not to use it for most of the season. Jace Billingsley and TJ Jones were promoted to the active roster, but never became part of the Lions’ true game plan. Abbrederis will now have to contend with those two for a roster spot come August.
The team has yet to confirm this signing, but it is likely one of many “future contracts” to come. Future contracts are typically short-term contracts at the league minimum given to players that were not signed with a team at the end of the regular season.