DE Cliff Avril ended his nine-day holdout and joined the team Sunday.
The team’s web site reported Avril passed a physical and signed his one-year, $10.6 million franchise tag tender before team activities began.
Avril was the only player not to report to the start of Lions training camp. He told reporters he was using the time away from the team to “evaluate his position” after failing to reach a long-term deal with Detroit before the franchise tag deadline passed.
Avril’s arrival a week before Detroit’s preseason opener gives him enough time to get up to speed before entering game action, and his presence will diffuse possible tensions in the locker room over his contract dispute.
His return will go a long way toward clarifying the D-line depth chart. DEs Willie Young and Lawrence Jackson will likely return to the second team after splitting first-team reps, which will move free agent signee Everette Brown and fourth-round draft pick Ronnell Lewis further down the ranks.
Lewis and Brown are currently competing for Detroit’s final D-line spots.
Avril has been active on Twitter during the offseason, receiving praise and and abuse from fans for his negotiations with the team.
Avril used the social networking site to post his thoughts on reporting to camp: “If your heart is filled with faith then you can’t fear,” he wrote. “Back to work, let’s get it #win.”
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