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The Detroit Lions signed wide receiver Lance Long on Wednesday, according to Tim Twentyman of the team's official website. Long was signed to fill one of the roster spots vacated Tuesday, when wide receivers Ryan Broyles and Titus Young were placed on injured reserve. Practice squad receiver Kris Durham took the other open roster spot. Long practiced with the team Wednesday.
Long spent the preseason with the Lions, catching eight passes for 97 yards in four preseason games. While his performance earned him the nickname "The Vanilla Gorilla," it was not enough to make the 53-man roster. He was cut on Aug. 31.
Long played college football at Mississippi State, and went undrafted in 2008. He signed with the Arizona Cardinals, and spent time with the Kansas City Chiefs, Jacksonville Jaguars, and San Francisco 49ers before joining Detroit. He played in seven games for the Chiefs in 2009, catching 20 passes for 178 yards.