Lions sign 12 players to futures deals

The Lions have signed 12 players to futures contracts.

The list includes: receiver Patrick Edwards, cornerback Lionel Smith, guard Rodney Austin, cornerback Conroy Black, receiver Troy Burrell, linebacker Carmen Messina, running back Devin Moore, cornerback Ross Weaver, receiver Lance Long, receiver Dominique Curry, receiver Terrence Austin and receiver Chastin West.

Curry spent time with the Lions in training camp and Long was with the team for a stretch during the regular season.

Terrence Austin spent 2010 and 2011 with the Redskins, playing in 18 games with 15 catches for 184 yards.

West played in 12 games with the Jaguars in 2011 and had 13 catches for 163 yards and two touchdowns.

Lions sign CB Conroy Black to practice squad; release RB Stephfon Green

The Lions signed Conroy Black, one of the fastest cornerbacks in the draft this year, to their practice squad on Tuesday.

Black, who visited the Lions before the draft as one of the team’s allotted pre-draft visits, went undrafted in April. He was signed by the Raiders following the draft, but was released in August.

The Lions released running back Stephfon Green to make room for Black on the practice squad.

The Lions are shorthanded in their secondary with the recent arm injury to cornerback Drayton Florence but are hoping to get cornerbacks Chris Houston and Bill Bentley back this week against the Titans.