The Lions signed veteran quarterback Patrick Ramsey to fill the roster spot left open when Matthew Stafford was placed on injured reserve.
Ramsey was with the Titans until October when they released him to make room for defensive back Cary Williams. Ramsey subsequently tried out for several teams, including the Giants and Steelers, but remained unemployed until Saturday.
While he doesn’t figure to play for Detroit this season, Ramsey could make himself a contender for a spot as a veteran backup for Stafford in 2010. Or he could just earn a couple of weeks of salary before hopping back on the league’s quarterback carousel.
Ramsey and fellow former first-round pick Daunte Culpepper will back up Drew Stanton when the 2007 second-rounder makes his first career start Sunday against the 49ers.