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Lions sign LB Jerry Franklin

The Detroit Lions signed journeyman linebacker Jerry Franklin today.

Franklin did not play in the NFL last year after being cut by the New Orleans Saints just before the start of the season.

He's appeared in 20 games since going undrafted out of Arkansas in 2012 and had stints with the Denver Broncos, Carolina Panthers, Dallas Cowboys, Chicago Bears and Kansas City Chiefs before joining the Saints' practice squad in 2014.

The Lions have a big hole at linebacker entering the off-season with Tahir Whitehead and Travis Lewis scheduled to hit free agency and Stephen Tulloch's future in doubt because of his expensive contract and dwindling production.