Will

Heller

The cap-strapped Lions will free up $1.3 million. Primarily a blocking specialist, the 31-year-old Heller caught just six passes behind Brandon Pettigrew and Tony Scheffler last season.

A blocking specialist playing behind Brandon Pettigrew and Tony Scheffler, Heller has totaled just 10 receptions over the past two seasons. His offensive role will be minimal in 2012.

The Lions don’t use the fullback very often, so Bryant is going to need to do more than block to make the team. No. 3 tight end Will Heller worked as the team’s fullback in 2011, but played only 82 snaps at the position. The 26-year-old is a longshot to stick on the roster.

With the Rams intent on taking away Calvin Johnson, Matthew Stafford targeted his tight ends early and often, finding Will Heller and Tony Scheffler for seven catches and 49 yards in addition to all of Pettigrew’s targets. Pettigrew could have had an even bigger afternoon, but muffed a touchdown grab late in the second quarter. With Detroit poised to again be one of the league’s pass-happiest teams, Pettigrew can be safely rostered as a TE2, but can’t be counted on for TE1 production on a week-to-week basis.

Heller had 12 receptions for 98 yards and one touchdown in 10 games this season.

It’s a bad sign when you have this much flexibility to add players to your active roster day after cut day.

It’s becoming increasingly likely that Pollard will be inactive in Week 6. Will Heller appears on track to start Sunday against the visiting Saints.

The team hopes that Pollard, who was inactive for Week 7 vs. the Rams, will be able to play after a Week 8 bye, so he’ll likely have the knee scoped. If he sits out Week 9 against Cleveland, Will Heller will get another start.

Heller started because Marcus Pollard (knee) was scratched, and caught his first touchdown on the goal line. His second came from 11 yards away. Heller is mostly a blocker and a backup, so he’s not a good fantasy pickup.

A partially torn meniscus was found when Pollard had his knee scoped, but coach Mike Holmgren says he has a chance to return in time for Week 10 against San Francisco. Will Heller will start this week at the Browns.