Lions sign TE Darren Fells after Josh Hill retires

Fells played for the Lions in 2017 and thrived with the Texans the last two seasons

The Detroit Lions have signed veteran tight end Darren Fells after holding a free agent visit with the former Lion.

Fells returns to Detroit, where he played in the 2017 season. The move took on some urgency when projected No. 2 tight end Josh Hill unexpectedly revealed he was retiring this week.

The 35-year-old Fells played well in his one season in Detroit, primarily serving as an in-line blocking tight end. A former college basketball player, Fells emerged as a great red zone threat as well in the last two seasons with the Houston Texans. He caught 11 touchdown passes in 2019-2020 for Houston.

Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press was the first to break the news of Fells’ signing with the Lions.

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