The Detroit Lions have placed running back Tra Carson on injured reserve and promoted running back Paul Perkins to the active roster in a corresponding move.
Tra Carson, we hardly knew you.
The Lions claimed Carson off waivers from the Green Bay Packers roughly three weeks ago and he played in only one game for the Lions. Carson got the start against the New York Giants and ran the ball 12 times for 34 yards (2.83 average yards per rush).
The next week of practice a mid-week hamstring injury limited him in practice and landed him on injured reserve today. If the Lions opt to keep him on injured reserve for the season, they will pay him the remaining money on his contract and the team would retain his rights heading into next season. If they don’t want to pay him a full allotment of funds, they could reach an injury settlement sometime in the future and allow him to become a free agent.
Perkins, who lost his spot on the roster to Carson, was on the Lions practice squad and will be promoted back to the active 53-man roster. In his two games played in Detroit, Perkins has only rushed the ball three times for a total of four yards (1.33 yards per carry average). He will be expected to take on a depth role as likely the third back in the rotation.
Rookie Ty Johnson will most likely get the starts moving forward and will be complemented by J.D. McKissic as a change-of-pace back, along with Perkins.
