The Lions made a change to their WR depth on Monday, claiming first-year pro Conner Vernon on waivers from Cincinnati and waiving rookie Quinton Payton. The roster moves were disclosed in the NFL’s Monday transactions.
Vernon (6-0, 200) finished the 2013 season on the Browns’ practice squad. The Browns signed him to a reserve/future deal in December but waived him last month. He was then picked up by the Bengals.
A Duke product, Vernon entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent with Oakland in 2013. He turns 24 next Monday.
Payton is an undrafted free agent from North Carolina State.
Eleven of the Lions’ 90 players are wide receivers.