National Football League

Lions sign punter Clingan

Published Mar. 5, 2013 7:23 p.m. ET

foxsports

The Detroit Lions have signed punter Blake Clingan.

Clingan has never punted in an NFL game, but he averaged 39.9 yards in four seasons at Central Florida from 2007-10. The Lions announced the move Tuesday.

Detroit ranked last in the league in yards per punt last season. Ben Graham hurt his left calf in a September loss at Tennessee, forcing kicker Jason Hanson to take over during that game. The Lions then signed Nick Harris, who averaged 41.5 yards on 67 punts for the season.