Lance

Long

Long was a final cut of the 49ers last September. Outside of 20 catches for 178 yards with the Chiefs in 2009, Long has been a well-traveled practice squad receiver. He’s an extreme longshot to make the Lions roster this summer.

With Nate Burleson, Ryan Broyles and Titus Young all on injured reserve, the Lions are just looking for warm bodies. Long has eight games of NFL experience under his belt and has some familiarity with the system after spending the offseason with the Lions. He’ll be insurance behind the likes of Mike Thomas, Brian Robiskie and Kris Durham.

The journeyman former UDFA was signed in December. Long hasn’t appeared in a game since 2009, and has to be near the end of the line.

The Chiefs started in a two-wide set with Bobby Wade at flanker and Dwayne Bowe at split end, but Long appears to be pushing for the third wideout job. He had two grabs for 12 yards, while Mark Bradley was catch-less.

Long started his career on Arizona’s active roster as an undrafted free agent by was cut after Week 1. He’s “up” thanks to the Chiefs releasing WR Quinten Lawrence Saturday. Long will be used primarily on special teams and could get a chance to return kickoffs as soon as tomorrow.

Long was going through a battery of tests on the sidelines after taking a big hit. Doctors took away his helmet, indicating that he’s likely done for the day. He finished with 12 yards on two catches and almost hauled in a diving touchdown grab just before the half.

Kansas City offered Arizona a seventh-round pick for Long in training camp, but later got him for free when the Cards waived the 5'11/186-pounder. It’s unclear if Long’s promotion is telling about Dwayne Bowe’s hamstring injury.

A nice pickup for Todd Haley. Long was good enough to make Arizona’s Week 1 roster, but was scapegoated for a rough Week 1 during which Kurt Warner looked more like a late-40s quarterback than a Super Bowl runner-up. K.C. is starving for talent at all positions, so Long may be activated later this year.

Mark Bradley may move back into the starting lineup opposite Chris Chambers, but Long will likely see a bigger increase in targets. He’s worth grabbing as a flier in PPR leagues. Bobby Wade will be active on game days, though he’s behind Bradley and Long on the depth chart.

Long started in a three-wide set with Chris Chambers and Dwayne Bowe, but saw just three targets. Chambers had five and Dwayne Bowe 11 -- easily a team high. Long has potential as a long-term slot guy, but the K.C. offense doesn’t have enough firepower to support more than 1-2 fantasy options.