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Former Lions fullback Michael Burton has landed in the Windy City.

(Mike Mulholland | MLive.com)

ALLEN PARK -- Michael Burton has a new home, and two dates with his old team.

The fullback was claimed Friday by Chicago, just one day after he was released by Detroit. That means he'll have a chance from some revenge when the Lions visit Soldier Field in Week 11, then again when Chicago heads to Detroit for a Saturday afternoon game on national TV in Week 15.

Burton was a fifth-round pick two years ago and actually played well for most of his tenure in Detroit, including ranking third at the position as a rookie according to ProFootballFocus. But the fullback position was fazed out of the offense under Jim Bob Cooter last year in Detroit, to the point where Burton wasn't even active for the regular-season finale or playoff game last season.

With Matt Asiata coming aboard this week, somebody had to go, and Burton was expendable.

"When we first came here, obviously, we were a little bit more of a fullback-oriented unit," coach Jim Caldwell said before OTAs on Wednesday. "We've changed a little bit in that regard -- the schematics. That was the thing.

"Mike Burton was a tremendous teammate, tremendous person. He's one of those individuals that I think in every way you can use as an example of how to do things the right way. Iit was just more so a schematic difference than anything else."

Burton finished his Lions career with four carries for 2 yards, plus six catches for 39 yards and his lone score.