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Detroit Lions add ex-New Orleans Saints LB Alex Anzalone on 1-year deal
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- Detroit Lions add ex-New Orleans Saints LB Alex Anzalone on 1-year deal
A week into the new league year, the Detroit Lions have finally found some help for their thin linebacking corps.
The Lions agreed to a free agent contract with linebacker Alex Anzalone on Wednesday. The one-year deal is worth up to $1.75 million, a league source said.
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Anzalone, 26, played the past four seasons with the New Orleans Saints , where new Lions coach Dan Campbell was assistant head coach and new Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn coach defensive backs.
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He made nine starts last season after missing most of 2019 with a shoulder injury.
The Lions have overhauled their linebacking unit this offseason, letting Jarrad Davis and Reggie Ragland walk in free agency and releasing Christian Jones.
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Anzalone should play a prominent role as an off-ball linebacker, alongside Jamie Collins. He made 41 tackles last season, and in 2018 — the only year he has played in all 16 games — had two sacks and three forced fumbles.
The Lions, who also re-signed linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin last week, still need help in their secondary, where they are looking for a slot cornerback and a safety to compete with Will Harris for the starting job.
Contact Dave Birkett at dbirkett@freepress.com . Follow him on Twitter @davebirkett.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Lions sign Saints LB Alex Anzalone to 1-year deal
