The Detroit Lions apparently are going to have to wait at least another day to add that playmaking running back that they’ve been coveting.
The NFL free-agent season opened Tuesday at 4 p.m. with much anticipation and speculation that the Lions could quickly sign Reggie Bush, who played the last two seasons in Miami.
No such deal was immediately announced.
Instead, Bush is expected to make a visit to the Lions before a final decision is made, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Other teams that reportedly have shown interest in Bush include Arizona, Cincinnati and possibly Washington.
Bush, 28, could provide the big-play potential that has been lacking at running back for the Lions ever since Jahvid Best suffered a brain injury in the sixth game of the 2011 season.
The Lions were 5-0 going into that game. Since then they’re 9-19, including one playoff loss.
Bush would split the duties with Mikel Leshoure.
“Really like idea of Reggie Bush in (Detroit),” former NFL coach Brian Billick, now an analyst for FOX, wrote in a message on Twitter. “Good 1-2 punch (with) Leshoure. Then if (receiver) Ryan Broyles can stay healthy, this can be very explosive (offense).”
Houston safety Glover Quin, a fourth-round draft pick out of New Mexico in 2009, was also expected to make the Lions his first visit after entering free agency.
Quin, 27, hasn’t missed a game the last three seasons, a rarity for a player at his position.
The secondary has been the Lions’ biggest weakness in recent years. One of their safeties, Louis Delmas, is an unrestricted free agent who has been injury prone.
A third free-agent target for the Lions, Seattle defensive lineman Jason Jones, made a visit to the Lions’ headquarters late Tuesday afternoon, according to the club’s website.
Jones, 26, played in high school at Southfield (Mich.) Lathrup and in college at Eastern Michigan. He was drafted by Tennessee in 2008 when Lions coach Jim Schwartz was the Titans’ defensive coordinator. Jones has played both end and tackle during five-year career.
The Lions are in the market for starting defensive ends after releasing Kyle Vanden Bosch and with Cliff Avril becoming an unrestricted free agent and likely to sign elsewhere. Detroit also needs reserve tackles to play behind Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairley.
Meanwhile, Gosder Cherilus, who started the last five years at right tackle, agreed to a free-agent deal with Indianapolis.
The move means that the Lions will have an entirely new right side on their offensive line. The club had previously released right guard Stephen Peterman.
In recent weeks, it had become clear that the Lions weren’t going to be able to bring back Cherilus for financial reasons.
The right side now could consist of Riley Reiff at guard, with Jason Fox or Corey Hilliard at tackle. They’re younger and less expensive but also not as experienced.
EXTRA POINTS
Safety Amari Spievey, a restricted free agent, agreed to a one-year contract. Spievey missed the final 10 games last season because of a concussion, but he has been cleared for contact.
… Special-teams standout Kassim Osgood, an unrestricted free agent, also agreed to a one-year deal.
… Fox and defensive end Willie Young have been tendered their restricted free-agent offers by the Lions, almost guaranteeing their return. Detroit will have the right to match any offer either player receives from another club. Like Fox, Young likely will compete for a starting job during training camp.
