Lions sign defensive tackles Ego Ferguson and Bruce Gaston

Early Thursday morning, according to the team’s website, the Lions have signed a pair of defensive tackles:

Ego Ferguson is a former second-round pick from Louisiana State University. Drafted 51st overall by the Bears in 2014, he played in all 16 games, tallying 24 tackles, 2.0 sacks, and 3 passes defended in his rookie campaign. Injuries limited Ferguson to just four games in the 2015 season, but before getting placed on injured reserve for the entirety of 2016 with a shoulder injury, Bears general manager Ryan Pace made Ferguson available in trade talks.

In April, the Packers picked up Ferguson off of waivers, but released him shortly thereafter when he failed a physical. Early in May, the Patriots worked out Ferguson at their rookie minicamp, but he left New England without a deal.

The name Ego Ferguson could be a familiar one with Lions fans:

Bruce Gaston joins Ferguson in Detroit as a former undrafted free agent in 2014 out of Purdue. Gaston has made his way from practice squad to practice squad, spending time with the following teams: Arizona Cardinals (twice), New England Patriots, Miami Dolphins, Green Bay Packers, Chicago Bears, Minnesota Vikings, San Diego Chargers, Philadelphia Eagles, and Carolina Panthers.

While the journey to the NFL has been a well-traveled one for Gaston, he did make his way to an NFL’s 53-man roster in 2015 with the Packers for two games. After being waived by Green Bay, Gaston was then picked up by the Bears where he finished the season with 11 tackles and 1.0 sack.

In correspondence with these signings, the Lions have released defensive tackles Nick James and Maurice Swain.