Asiata rushed for 402 yards last season for Minnesota, more than any Detroit player managed. In five NFL seasons, Asiata has rushed for 1,259 yards on 361 carries.
DETROIT — The Detroit Lions have agreed to a one-year deal with running back Matt Asiata.
Agent Kenny Zuckerman confirmed the deal Friday night. Asiata played the past five seasons with the Minnesota Vikings.
The agreement doesn’t come as a huge surprise. Asiata rushed for 402 yards last season for Minnesota, more than any Detroit player managed. In five NFL seasons, Asiata has rushed for 1,259 yards on 361 carries.
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Detroit coach Jim Caldwell was asked earlier this month about Asiata and what he can bring to an offense.
“He’s a good special teamer. He’s tough, ” Caldwell said. “He’s a very good pass protector and he carries the ball. He runs behind his pads. He’s always been a very, very effective player in this league.”
The Lions are hoping running back Ameer Abdullah can bounce back after he was limited to 18 carries last season because of a foot injury. Detroit’s running backs have often struggled to provide much balance for the Matthew Stafford-led passing game.
Asiata, who also has 101 receptions in his career, ran for a career-high 570 yards in 2014, and that was also the season he established his high in carries with 164.
