Lions promote receiver Jace Billingsley for season finale

Allen Park — The Detroit Lions are promoting wide receiver Jace Billingsley to the main roster, a day before the team's season finale. 

An undrafted rookie out of Eastern Oregon, the 5-foot-9 dynamo quickly became a fan favorite during the preseason with his open-field elusiveness and playmaking ability. 

He weaved through multiple defenders for a 27-yard touchdown in the preseason opener again Pittsburgh and added a seven-catch, 80-yard performance in the finale against Buffalo. His efforts earned him a spot on the Lions' practice squad where he's spent the season developing. 

The promotion is likely a bad sign for Andre Roberts, who has been nursing a shoulder injury and was listed as questionable against Green Bay. 

The Lions cleared the roster spot for Billingsley when running back Theo Riddick was placed on injured reserve.

jdrogers@detroitnews.com

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