Stefan

Logan

Logan had the league’s second worst punt return average last season (8.1 yards), and was in the middle of the pack on kickoffs (25.2). He also put the ball on the ground six times. Logan’s fate could be tied to Broyles’ (torn ACL) health, but he’d be an easy $615,000 in savings for the Lions.

Young had graduated to fielding punts and kickoffs in practices by the end of last season. He’s only likely to see action on special teams if return specialist Stefan Logan ends up being squeezed out in a roster crunch.

The 31-year-old Logan was a star runner in the CFL and for small-school South Dakota, but has carried the ball just 24 times in three NFL seasons. The reality is, he may not even hold onto his punt and kick return duties with second-round WR Ryan Broyles now in the fold. Logan will have to earn his roster spot in camp.

RBs coach Sam Gash agrees. “Your eyes are not deceiving you,” Gash said. "(Logan’s) got a similar skill set to Jahvid (Best), similar to Darren Sproles. He’s stronger with the ball than people think because he’s such a small guy. But he has a fearlessness about him that I like as a running back.” Making the conversion from receiver, the 31-year-old former CFL standout could find himself on the radar in deeper leagues if Best (concussions) isn’t ready for Week 1.

Logan went down untouched in Friday’s game against the Ravens. “We’ll see,” coach Jim Schwartz said. “It didn’t look great on film according to our doctors, but Logan’s a pretty tough guy. We’ll just see how that comes out.” A return specialist, Logan could be in line for a small role in Detroit’s backfield to begin the year as it waits for Mikel Leshoure (suspension) and Jahvid Best (concussions) to return.

Lined up in the backfield for a handoff from Matthew Stafford, Logan lost his footing, falling to the ground while exposing Stafford to a big hit. Logan walked off the field with relatively little assistance, but looked to be in a great deal of pain on the sideline. A serious injury would further decimate a Lions’ running back corps that’s perilously low on healthy bodies. Logan had zero carries before going down, and just one catch for two yards.

It’s yet another sign that the Lions are preparing to move on from incumbent return man Stefan Logan. They drafted Ryan Broyles and Young was a standout kick returner at Boise State. Either way, Young’s special teams role won’t affect his ascent up the receiving depth chart. He’s locked in as the No. 3 wideout and could be pushing Nate Burleson for the No. 2 job sooner rather than later.

Logan has been working exclusively with the running backs in the early days of camp. It’s either an indication the Lions believe Logan had no chance to make the team as a receiver, or they’re majorly concerned about Jahvid Best and Mike Leshoure’s return from injury. Regardless of where he plays, Logan won’t make a fantasy impact in 2012.

X-rays to Logan’s ankle came back negative, but he hasn’t been cleared to resume practicing. Mikel Leshoure (hamstring, Achilles’) will be making his NFL debut if he enters the game. Louis Delmas (knee), Jonathan Scott (knee) and G/C Bill Nagy are also listed as inactive.

Logan played running back in the CFL and the Steelers initially tried him there last season. But at 5'7/185, it’s almost impossible for “The Joystick” to play running back in the NFL. He’ll strictly be a returner again this season.