Update 2:15 -- Any 2013 playing time bonus money would apply to 2014 cap hit.

When the initial reports came out about Louis Delmas' two-year, $9.465 million contract with the Detroit Lions, many fans felt the team overpaid based on the safety's recent string of knee injuries.

The breakdown of the deal, revealed on Wednesday, indicates the team favorably structured the contract to account for the issues that have kept Delmas sidelined for 13 games over the past two years.

In 2013, Delmas will have a base salary of $715,000, the veteran's minimum for a player with 4-6 accrued seasons. He has the ability to earn up to $1.75 million more based on playing time.

If Delmas plays 42 percent of the team's defensive snaps next season (approximately seven games), he will earn $109,375 for each game he was active. For example, if Delmas misses four games due to injury, he would earn $1.31 million for the 12 weeks he played. That money would be applied to the 2014 cap.

The Lions also awarded Delmas a $1 million signing bonus. For cap purposes, this is divided evenly over the the two-year deal. That means Delmas' cap number for 2013 will be $1.215 million.

In 2014, Delmas' base salary jumps to $5.5 million, plus a $500,000 roster bonus and $500,000 prorated portion of his signing bonus. That $6.5 million will be added the playing time bonus Delmas earns in 2013, making his max cap number $8.25 million.

The risk the Lions ultimately put into retaining Delmas is minimal. It's essentially a one-year, prove-it deal. If he can't stay on the field or struggles in 2013, the Lions can simply release him next season. The cap hit would be $500,000 added to his 2013 playing time bonus.