Lions sign safety Don Carey to one-year extension

Allen Park – The Detroit Lions have signed safety Don Carey to a one-year extension. The deal, first reported by ESPN, is valued at $1.35 million. It includes a $975,000 base salary and $375,000 signing bonus.

Carey has played an integral role on special teams for the Lions. He recorded 16 tackles on the units in 2015 and leads the team with seven this season. A gunner on punt coverage, he is one of the primary reasons the Lions rank second in the NFL with a 46.0-yard net average.

Beyond his on-field contributions, Carey has had a big impact in the community. He was selected as the team's 2016 Walter Payton Man of the Year nominee for his work with area schools.

Carey has been with the Lions for the better part of six seasons. A sixth-round draft pick for the Cleveland Browns in 2009, he suffered a shoulder injury and was waived by the team during his first training camp. He was claimed by the Jacksonville Jaguars and spent his rookie season on injured reserve before appearing in 15 games for the organization in 2010.

Carey signed with the Lions in 2011. He was waived with a hamstring injury in 2012, but re-signed with the team later that season. He had been in the final season of a three-year extension he signed in 2014.