Defensive lineman Corey Wootton's tour of the NFC North continues in Detroit.
Wootton, 27, spent his first four seasons in the NFL with Chicago after being a fourth-round draft pick in 2010 coming out of Northwestern. He spent last season with Minnesota and on Thursday his agent, Mike McCartney, announced on Twitter that Wootton has signed with the Lions.
Excited for @CoreyWootton to be joining the @Lions on a 1 year deal
— Mike McCartney (@MikeMcCartney7) May 14, 2015
Wootton, who is 6-foot-6, 270 pounds, was a solid contributor on the Bears' defensive line, including a career-high seven sacks in 2012.
A year ago, however, he played a limited role for the Vikings and had just 11 tackles and one sack in 15 games.
Wootton, who has played both tackle and end, will compete for a reserve role on the Lions' D-line, which has to replace Ndamukong Suh, Nick Fairley, C.J. Mosley and George Johnson.
EXTRA POINT
--- The Lions announced that Lance Newmark, a national scout, is being promoted to director of college scouting. He'll replace Scott McEwen, whose title is changed to senior personnel executive.
