ALLEN PARK -- The Lions created a hole in their offense and on their roster Tuesday when they dealt Golden Tate to the Eagles.
They have filled the roster spot, though it wasn't with a receiver. It was with a defender, yet another who played for the Giants.
Detroit signed linebacker Kelvin Sheppard to the active roster. It also returned defensive end Alex Barrett to the practice squad, cutting tight end Jerome Cunningham to make room.
Sheppard, 30, started 17 games for the Giants over the past two seasons. He has 418 tackles and 63 starts in his seven-year career split between Buffalo, Indianapolis, Miami and New York.