Ricardo

Silva

Undrafted out of Hampton, Silva showed play-making ability in preseason action. He’ll provide depth with Louis Delmas (knee) out this week.

The move clears a roster spot for Drayton Florence. An undrafted free agent out of small-school Hampton last season, Silva managed to get into four games, making three tackles. Just 24 years old with play-making skills, he’ll get another shot.

“My agent told me that people were saying last year I was maybe a step slow in this direction or that direction,” Silva said. “So that’s what I’ve been focusing on.” Silva’s trainer believes “Detroit will be in for a great surprise.” Silva started six games last season before being benched down the stretch. If all goes to plan for the Lions, Silva shouldn’t open 2013 any higher than fourth on the depth chart.

Durham was set to be an exclusive rights free agent, but the Lions are bringing all of their RFAs and ERFAs back for another year. Durham was signed off the practice squad in early December and was forced to start three games. He caught eight passes for 125 yards and a touchdown, but the bad outweighed the good. TE/FB Shaun Chapas and S Ricardo Silva were also re-signed.

They also announced the re-signing of WR Kris Durham, who was tendered in early March. Bell is the only guarantee to make the roster after turning 134 touches into 899 yards from scrimmage last season, but his role will be dramatically reduced with the signing of Reggie Bush. Bell will only be a factor in fantasy leagues if Bush goes down with injury.

25-year-old Silva was something of a fan favorite in Detroit for making practice interceptions, but he couldn’t parlay that into consistent playing time. He’s got a great last name, however, and the Panthers are weak at safety.

Silva opened camp fourth on the depth chart and was showing no signs of moving up. It’s the third straight year he’s been waived by the Lions before final cuts, but he did come back to the team and make contributions in both 2011 and 2012. Trevor Coston has been signed to take Silva’s place while Xavier Proctor replaces Nealy.

The Lions are rolling the dice that they can get Silva onto the practice squad after a ball-hawking preseason that saw him intercept two passes and force a fumble. Undrafted out of Hampton, he’ll at least get some looks on waivers. If football doesn’t work out, he can always get grandfathered onto the Rotoworld writing staff as a legacy case -- like Kent Dorfman from Animal House.