The Detroit Lions landed insurance for their defensive line on Wednesday, signing veteran Ricky Jean Francois to a deal that's been months in the works.
Francois, who played six games for new Lions coach Matt Patricia with the New England Patriots last season, made a free-agent visit to the Lions in March and again on Wednesday.
While reports in the spring indicated Francois and the Lions had agreed to a deal, Francois' agent, Drew Rosenhaus, said at the time that wasn't the case.
Francois, 31, has played for five other teams in his 10-year career and split last season between the Patriots and Green Bay Packers.