Detroit Lions

Lions, Jim Caldwell deny any interest in Ray Rice

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

foxsports

The Detroit Lions and head coach Jim Caldwell have rejected the rumor that the team is interested in signing former NFL running back Ray Rice.

“We are NOT signing Ray Rice, never have even discussed him,” a Lions executive texted ESPN's Adam Schefter. “1000% false.”

Lions executives also denied any interest to ProFootballTalk's Mike Florio.

Jason McIntyre of The Big Lead and Fox Sports first reported that the Lions were considering signing Rice. The Lions are in need of a running back after Ameer Abullah was placed on injured reserve.

Caldwell was a member of the Baltimore Ravens coaching staff that won a Super Bowl with Rice in 2012.

Rice, 29, has not played in the NFL since a video surfaced of him punching his then-fiancee in a hotel elevator, but he has remained optimistic about a comeback to the league. In his six seasons with the Ravens, he made three Pro Bowl teams.

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