The Detroit Lions filled Golden Tate’s roster spot by signing free-agent linebacker Kelvin Sheppard, a 7-year veteran who played the past two seasons with the New York Giants. The Lions dealt Tate to the Philadelphia Eagles on Tuesday for a third-round draft pick in 2019.

Sheppard, 30, could provide immediate help after linebacker Christian Jones suffered a knee injury Sunday against Seattle and did not finish the game.

Sheppard, 6 feet 2 and 249 pounds, has played mostly inside during his career. He started 17 out of 23 games with the Giants and had 96 tackles and two interceptions.

Sheppard was a 2011 third-round pick out of Louisiana State by the Buffalo Bills. He also played for the Indianapolis Colts and the Miami Dolphins.

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Contact Carlos Monarrez at cmonarrez@freepress.com or follow him on Twitter @cmonarrez.

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