According to Adam Caplan, the Lions are placing RB Theo Riddick on season-ending injured reserve and are signing TE Kennard Backman to the practice squad in a corresponding roster move.
- Detroit also promoted WR Jace Billingsley from their practice squad on Saturday. (NFLTR)
Riddick has been out since Week 13 after sustaining a wrist injury, so this shouldn’t come as a large surprise. He will not be eligible to return to the Lions should they reach the playoffs.
Riddick, 25, is a former third-round pick of the Lions back in 2013. He signed a three-year, $12.75 million extension that included a $3.85 million signing bonus back in September. He stands to make a base salary of $825,000 next season to go along with another $2,700,000 in 2018.
In 2016, Riddick appeared in 10 games for the Lions and recorded 357 rushing yards on 92 attempts (3.9 YPC) and scored one rushing touchdown. He also accumulated 53 receptions for 371 yards receiving for five touchdowns. ProFootballFocus rates him as the No. 10 overall running back out of 54 qualifying players.
Backman, 23, was originally drafted by the Packers in the sixth round of last year’s draft out of UAB. He managed to make the 53-man roster coming out of the preseason during his rookie season, but he was later waived with an injury designation as Green Bay trimmed their roster down to 75 players this past September.
After clearing waivers, Backman was added to the Packers’ practice squad but was unfortunately waived back in September. Backman has since been on and off of the Patriots’ practice squad.
In 2015, Backman appeared in seven games for the Packers but did not record a statistic.
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