Dave Birkett

Detroit Free Press

INDIANAPOLIS -- For the second straight year, the Detroit Lions will have a battle at long snapper in training camp.

The Lions agreed to a one-year contract with longtime long snapper Don Muhlbach on Thursday, keeping the 35-year-old from becoming an unrestricted free agent next week.

Muhlbach is entering his 14th NFL season and has been the Lions' long snapper since midway through 2004.

Last year, Muhlbach withstood a challenge from sixth-round pick Jimmy Landes to win the job. Landes spent the season on injured reserve after undergoing shoulder surgery but is fully recovered and will compete for the job again this fall.

With Muhlbach under contract, the Lions could return all three of their specialists for 2017. Kicker Matt Prater made 31 of 36 field goals in the 2016 regular season and was selected to his second Pro Bowl, and punter Sam Martin set a franchise record for net punting average (44.2 yards) and was a Pro Bowl alternate.

The Lions now have 19 unrestricted free agents, two restricted free agents and three exclusive rights free agents when free agency opens next week. Here's the complete list:

Unrestricted (19): OL Riley Reiff, Larry Warford, Garrett Reynolds; WR Anquan Boldin, Andre Roberts; QB Dan Orlovsky; RB Joique Bell; TE Clay Harbor, Matthew Mulligan, Tim Wright; DT Stefan Charles, Tyrunn Walker; DE Armonty Bryant, Devin Taylor; LB Josh Bynes, Jon Bostic; S Rafael Bush; CB Crezdon Butler, Asa Jackson.

Restricted (2): OL Cornelius Lucas; DT Khyri Thornton.

Exclusive rights (3): DE Kerry Hyder, Brandon Copeland; WR TJ Jones.

Detroit Lions to take a shot at 'top-end' free agents

Contact Dave Birkett: dbirkett@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @davebirkett.

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