Detroit Lions: 5 Intriguing Free-Agent Running Backs the Lions Should Consider

The Detroit Lions training camp is well underway, and there are two things you can set your watch to: Calvin Johnson will be the best player on the field and the Lions will have serious injury concerns.

While injuries in training camp are common, the Lions have established the kind of injury history, particularly among running backs, that is truly legendary. It seems like year after year their top two or three ball carriers are lost due to significant injuries.

This year isn't as bad as last, but wait a few weeks as they aren't out of the woods yet.

There's no timetable for Jahvid Best's return. Mikel Leshoure hasn't participated in camp due to a nasty hamstring injury and Kevin Smith was limited on Wednesday with a quadriceps issue.

Luckily for the Lions, Smith's injury was minor and he returned to practice on Thursday. However, everyone knows that he is the Lions' version of the walking wounded. How long he'll hold up is anyone's guess.

Nonetheless Smith is penciled in as the starter since, regardless of his hamstring, Leshoure will miss two games due to suspension.

Fans are likely to see heavy doses of Stefan Logan, Joique Bell and Keiland Williams during Friday night's preseason matchup. The Lions don't want to overuse Smith, and those three are all they have in terms of depth. Undrafted rookie Stephfon Green injured his knee on Monday.

Given the injury woes that continue to plague the Lions' rushers, it might be wise for them to start looking at potential free-agent pick ups. Here are five intriguing possibilities.

5. Maurice Morris

Is it that hard to imagine that in a time of desperation the Lions might reach for "Old Faithful" once again? Of course not. Maurice Morris is one of the most reliable running backs the Lions could find.

Most importantly, he's still available.

Plus, he already knows the system, he's comfortable with the quarterback and he knows his role. At this stage of the game, the Lions won't be landing any top-tier running backs via free agency anyway, so why not go the safe route?

Sign him to a veteran's minimum, one-year deal and the Lions are at least no worse than they were last year.

4. Jacquise Terry

This one might be a stretch, I'll admit that. The undrafted rookie out of Kent State has disappeared like Jason Bourne. I couldn't find a single tidbit of information updating his status post-draft.

Here's what I know. According to multiple sources—here's one—Jacquise Terry was invited to attend the Lions' rookie camp and try out for the team. Obviously he didn't make it. They decided to go with Stephfon Green instead.

However, if the Lions running game is depleted due to injuries, perhaps Terry would be a good fit. Although his time in Detroit was limited, he at least has some familiarity with the Lions. He spent a couple of weeks here.

He's also a dual offensive threat which would make him an interesting replacement for Jahvid Best.

According to the Kent State website, in his career Terry totaled 1,721 yards as a running back and 612 yards as a receiver. He added 18 total touchdowns.

He was also the only two-time Academic All-American in school history. Maybe his smarts could rub off on a couple Lions. You know who I'm talking about.

3. Joseph Addai

The New England Patriots signed Joseph Addai back in May and many predicted he'd be reborn in chowder land. Apparently Bill Belichick didn't get that memo.

Addai was unceremoniously released two weeks ago—reports suggested he "quit" a conditioning test—and he still hasn't latched on anywhere.

I never thought someone would come along and make Chad Johnson's stint with the Patriots look successful but Addai did just that.

There are certainly question marks surrounding him—even before the debacle in New England. However, if the Lions face a dire running back situation they could do worse than bringing in a six-year veteran who's only one-year removed from averaging 4.3 yards a carry.

2. Cadillac Williams

According to ESPN's free agent tracker, Cadillac Williams is still available. That may or may not surprise you given his own well-documented injury history.

In fact, adding him to the Lions group of injury magnets might be a recipe for disaster. Or it could be a calculated risk that provides solid results.

He's a downhill runner and, while he may have lost a step, he still has the power and explosiveness that makes him a great situational player.

Last season he only carried the ball 87 times. Obviously Steven Jackson is the man for the St. Louis Rams. Yet Williams averaged 4.1 yards per carry, his highest average since his rookie year in 2005.

He's a veteran and he's already shown he can play in this league. If the Lions are hurting for rushers he could help.

1. Ryan Grant

Ryan Grant was reportedly courted by the Lions before. Back in May it was reported he was considering an offer to sign with Detroit.

Fast-forward to August and he might be reconsidering his options. He remains unsigned and if the Lions running back situation worsens, they might want to reconsider too.

He's arguably the best running back available. In 2011 he bounced back nicely from a knee injury while splitting time with James Starks.

Obviously Lions' fans know Grant well. With the Green Bay Packers he had some nice performances against Detroit. Visions of Grant in a Lions uniform running roughshod over Green Bay has a certain poetic justice to it.

Ultimately, the Lions and their fans are praying that their current rushers heal quickly so that no additions are needed. If that doesn't happen, then these five players could offer solid production.