A month after re-signing Tracy Walker, the Lions have signed his potential runningmate for 2022.
Detroit has agreed to a one-year deal with former Ravens safety DeShon Elliott, according to Ian Rapoport. Elliott could play a big role in the Lions' secondary.
He started all 16 games for Baltimore's second-ranked scoring defense in 2020 -- and played almost every defensive snap -- and started six games last season before a torn biceps and torn pectoral ended his season.
A sixth-round pick out of Texas in 2018, Ellliott has been productive when healthy. He racked up 80 tackles, four passes defended, 2.5 sacks and two forced fumbles in 2020. But he's suffered season-ending injuries in three of his four years in the NFL, to his forearm, knee and biceps/pec.
The Lions have a void next to Walker, their starting free safety. They let Dean Marlowe depart in free agency and are considering a move to cornerback for Will Harris.
Detroit is also expected to seek safety help in the draft, where the club has been linked to both Notre Dame's Kyle Hamilton and Georgia's Lewis Cine, Hamilton as high as No. 2 overall.
But Elliott lessens the need for the Lions and gives them some insurance should the draft not fall in their favor. So long as he stays healthy, he figures to play a prominent role next to Walker next season.