The Lions showed some interest in Josh Cribbs before Cribbs signed with Oakland and their interest in improving their options in the return game didn’t end when Cribbs chose to wear silver and black in 2013.
That much is clear with the team’s announcement that they have signed wide receiver/kick returner Micheal Spurlock as a free agent. As far as consolation prizes go, the Lions could have done a lot worse.
Spurlock returned both a kickoff and a punt for touchdowns for the Chargers in December of last season. It was his second stint of the year with San Diego as Spurlock started the season with the Chargers before getting waived. The Jaguars picked him up, but wound up waiving him as well and the Chargers decided to bring him back. They got a seven-catch game in addition to the two touchdowns, but Spurlock’s value has long rested in his ability to bust big returns.
Spurlock has five touchdown returns in total for his career, which has also featured stops with the Cardinals, 49ers and Buccaneers before landing in Detroit. The Lions also announced that they have released wide receiver Troy Burrell and tight end Nathan Overbay.