Brandon

McDonald

The Lions would rather re-sign Kevin Smith as insurance for Mikel Leshoure and Jahvid Best. In addition to Morris, the Lions are also expected to move on from LB Bobby Carpenter, safeties Erik Coleman and Chris Harris, CB Brandon McDonald, WR Maurice Stovall, and OG Leonard Davis.

McDonald suffered the injury while diving to try to stop a long touchdown pass in the third quarter. With Louis Delmas, Chris Houston also injured, wide receiver Rashied Davis played 5-10 snaps as an emergency corner, making two tackles. Coach Jim Schwartz doesn’t know yet if any of the injuries are long-term.

The sides may have to reach an injury settlement, as McDonald is recovering from a Thanksgiving Day knee injury. He played in 11 games as a subpackage corner with the Lions, recording 17 tackles.

It’s purely a desperation move as the Lions’ secondary has been ravaged by injury. The Lions waived McDonald three weeks ago. He’ll be insurance behind Chris Houston (knee), Aaron Berry (shoulder) and Don Carey (concussion). Philip Rivers and the Chargers’ passing game has another tasty matchup this week.

McDonald, a 2007 fifth-round pick of the Browns, has spent the last couple seasons getting lit up as a member of the Lions’ secondary. He brings 29 career starts to the table.

LeQuan Lewis was promoted from the practice squad in a corresponding move. The 27-year-old McDonald had been a major liability in coverage on 216 snaps as the nickel and dime back this season.

Miami signed the journeyman CB after placing Richard Marshall on injured reserve. McDonald has 21 total tackles and an interception in six games for the Buccaneers, but was waived yesterday. He’s currently ranked as the No. 91 cornerback for the season at Pro Football Focus.

Miami claimed McDonald off waivers from Tampa Bay just three days ago. The Fins also added Bryan McCann to their cornerback depth this past week. McDonald will hit the street but should be able to latch on elsewhere in due time.

McDonald recorded 21 tackles, two passes defensed, and an interception in eight games before being released by the Bucs a month ago. Like the rest of the team’s corners, McDonald has been a liability in coverage.

McDonald is expected to compete for time in Cleveland’s nickel package with Daven Holly, but his main duties initially will likely come on special teams.