Lions place TE Ausberry on IR, sign CB Skinner

The Detroit Lions placed tight end David Ausberry on injured reserve today and signed cornerback Jocquel Skinner.

Ausberry had not practiced since early in training camp and was a longshot to make the roster, with Eric Ebron and Brandon Pettigrew locked into the top two tight end spots and Joseph Fauria mostly healthy after missing time this off-season and last fall with an ankle injury.

The Lions signed tight end Jacob Maxwell on Monday to provide extra depth at tight end for Thursday's exhibition opener against the New York Jets (7:30 p.m., Channel 2).

Jordan Thompson and Casey Pierce also remain on the roster.

Skinner, an undrafted free agent out of Bethel University last year, has had brief stints with the Dallas Cowboys, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Carolina Panthers but hasn't appeared on an active roster.

The Lions have no cornerbacks who are clear-cut candidates for the practice squad, with rookies Alex Carter and Quandre Diggs and second-year pro Nevin Lawson likely to make the team. Carter has not practiced in training camp, because of a sprained ankle.

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

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