The Detroit Lions decided to go light at running back when they released Zach Zenner last week, but quickly changed course Sunday.

The Lions were awarded running back J.D. McKissic off waivers from the Seattle Seahawks.

McKissic played for first-year Lions offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell for parts of the 2016-17 seasons with the Seahawks, but his primary role in Seattle has been on special teams.

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In 2017, he played about a quarter of Seattle's special teams snaps, both as a coverage specialist and kick returner, despite appearing in only 13 games. As a running back/receiver, he has 50 carries and 36 catches in his career.

McKissic started last season on injured reserve because of a foot injury but returned to play five games at the end of the year. He spent part of the 2016 season with the Atlanta Falcons.

The Lions kept just three running backs on their initial 53-man roster, starter Kerryon Johnson and backups C.J. Anderson and Ty Johnson.

To make room for McKissic, the Lions released tight end Logan Thomas.

The Lions have two tight ends on their active roster (T.J. Hockenson and Jesse James) and two more on practice squad (Isaac Nauta and Austin Traylor), but could make room to re-sign Thomas or another tight end by placing rookie Austin Bryant on injured reserve this week.

Bryant, who played through a torn pectoral muscle last season at Clemson, has been out since the first week of training camp with an undisclosed injury.

Arizona bound

Former Lions safety Charles Washington, who was waived Saturday, was claimed by the Arizona Cardinals.

Washington was one of the Lions' best special teams players the last two seasons but had a limited role on defense.

He told the Free Press last week one player he liked to study on film was Cardinals safety Budda Baker, who was the NFC's Pro Bowl coverage specialist in 2018.

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"His energy at gunner was unmatched," Washington said. "He was a special gunner and he had to take on a bigger role at safety, so he cut back (his role on special teams). But they actually have another gunner right now, No. 16, (Trent Sherfield), he also plays receiver. He’s killing it right now."

The Lions open the regular season next Sunday in Arizona against the Cardinals.

Contact Dave Birkett at dbirkett@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @davebirkett. Read more on the Detroit Lions and sign up for our Lions newsletter.