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Detroit Lions Sign TE Clay Harbor, Release Orson Charles

By Colton Wesley

Sep 13, 2015; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars tight end Clay Harbor (86) blocks Carolina Panthers defensive end Charles Johnson (95) during the first quarter at EverBank Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 13, 2015; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars tight end Clay Harbor (86) blocks Carolina Panthers defensive end Charles Johnson (95) during the first quarter at EverBank Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Detroit Lions are signing former New England Patriots tight end Clay Harbor after his release from New England on Monday.

Adam Caplan of ESPN reported on Tuesday morning that the Detroit Lions had agreed to terms with tight end Clay Harbor, who was released by the New England Patriots on Monday.

This is the latest attempt by the Lions to bolster their depth chart at tight end, where they have had well-documented depth problems since the preseason. Starter Eric Ebron has been visibly hampered for most of the season and was injured again in Sunday’s game against the Chicago Bears, Brandon Pettigrew remains on the PUP list as he recovers from an ACL injury suffered last season and Tim Wright was placed on injured reserve during the preseason.

Harbor is primarily a receiving tight end with 111 receptions, 1,151 yards and eight touchdowns in seven years. He has played in 86 games and started in 35.

He is on the small side for a tight end but has excellent athleticism, grading out above average in just about every strength and speed measurable. He is not the best blocker, but is a competent receiver. Because of this, teams have deployed Harbor as a slot receiver, H-back or “move” tight end at times. Patriots head coach Bill Belichick has compared him to the Oakland Raiders’ Marcel Reese.

Harbor was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in the fourth round in 2010 out of Missouri State. The Lions are his fourth team in the league following three-year stints with the Jacksonville Jaguars and Philadelphia Eagles before he signed with the New England Patriots in March, where he played in three of their first four games of the season.

The Lions have attempted to address their problems at tight end previously this season. They signed three UDFA tight ends in the spring, one of whom, Cole Wick, remains on the roster. They also signed suspended former Green Bay Packer Andrew Quarless in August before releasing him when his suspension ended, signed Orson Charles in June and added former Chicago Bear Khari Lee off of waivers in September. The Lions waived Charles on Tuesday to make room for Harbor on the 53-man roster.

Next: Who Finishes The Season If Jim Caldwell Is Fired?

The Lions will return to the field on Sunday when the take on the undefeated Philadelphia Eagles at 1:00 on FOX.

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