Michael Rothstein, ESPN Staff Writer 10y

Lions release Edwards, sign Dickerson

Even with the injuries to Nate Burleson and Calvin Johnson, there was slowly starting to be a glut of players at wide receiver for the Detroit Lions.

So Monday's decision by the Lions to release Patrick Edwards isn't completely surprising. Especially since Detroit could have a need at tight end due to the injury to Tony Scheffler. It's why the team, according to Dorin Dickerson's Twitter account, signed the tight end Monday as well.

If the Lions were going to make this move, Edwards started to appear as the odd men out. Johnson and Burleson are cornerstones of the offense. Ryan Broyles is the team's slot receiver. Kris Durham has emerged as a sure-handed, tall target for quarterback Matthew Stafford.

And when the Lions brought in Kevin Ogletree last week, it seemed like they were searching for better options at receiver. Then Ogletree saw 29 snaps Sunday (39 percent) to Edwards' 16 snaps (22 percent) and his role started to lessen.

Edwards had five receptions for 46 yards this season, but only had catches in two games -- against Minnesota in the opener and against Green Bay two weeks ago as he recovered from an ankle injury.

His time with the Lions might not be completely done, though. If he clears waivers the team could bring him back to the practice squad, but Detroit already has two practice squad receivers: rookie Corey Fuller and receiver/returner Jeremy Ross.

Detroit's new signing, Dorin Dickerson, only has nine catches for 117 yards in his career, but fills a position of need with the Lions down to Brandon Pettigrew and Joseph Fauria at tight end with Scheffler out for now.

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