Detroit Lions Sign Running Back Justin Forsett

The Detroit Lions added to their depleted backfield on Tuesday by signing former Pro Bowl running back Justin Forsett.

One week after his release by the Baltimore Ravens, running back Justin Forsett, who turns 31 on Friday, signed with the Detroit Lions after a workout on Tuesday.

Forsett, who spent the last three seasons with the Baltimore Ravens, mutually parted ways with the Ravens one week ago after meeting with Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome and requesting his release.

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Forsett was named to the Pro Bowl in 2014 after a surprisingly productive season, rushing for 1,266 yards and eight touchdowns while averaging 5.4 yards per carry. That offseason, he signed a three-year, $9 million deal with Baltimore. He began the 2015 season as the Ravens’ starter and rushed for 641 yards through his first ten games before breaking his right arm in week 11 and being placed on injured reserve.

Despite entering the 2016 season healthy, Forsett’s role in Baltimore’s offense was eclipsed after the first four weeks of the season by Terrance West and rookie Kenneth Dixon, who is returning from injury. Forsett appeared in the Ravens’ first three games, rushing for 98 yards on 31 carries before not being activated for week four. He was released and re-signed days later by the Ravens during final cuts at the end of the preseason as a part of some roster finagling by the Ravens’ front office.

The Lions have been thin at running back since starter Ameer Abdullah was placed on injured reserve in September after having foot surgery. Rookie Dwayne Washington missed Detroit’s week five win over the Philadelphia Eagles with an ankle sprain and is expected to return next week. The only healthy Lions running backs in Sunday’s game were Theo Riddick and Zack Zenner, and the team even deployed wide receiver Golden Tate in the backfield for a few carries. Detroit rushed for only 80 yards in the game, averaging 3.0 yards per carry as a team.

Detroit is Forsett’s sixth team since he was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks in the seventh round in 2008. Forsett will be paid his full 2016 salary from the Ravens in addition to the salary he makes with the Lions this season. Both Forsett and his agent announced the signing on Twitter.

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The Lions will host the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday. Kickoff is at 1:00 on FOX.