Reggie Bushunlikely will return to the Miami Dolphins. The Detroit Lions might be in play to become the running back's new team.
Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press reported Tuesday that the Lions' interest in Bush is "real." Multiple people at the NFL Scouting Combine told Birkett that the Lions might make Bush a primary target in free agency.
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The Lions got nearly 5,000 yards of passing from Matthew Stafford and a record-breaking season by wide receiver Calvin Johnson, but the team struggled to find balance on offense. The Lions were the 23rd-ranked rushing attack in the NFL and lacked any home-run threat out of the backfield.
Bush, 27, has the potential to be that guy. The Lions drafted Jahvid Best with the hope that he could fill that role, but concussion issues have derailed his career. Mikel Leshoure and Joique Bell are expected to return, but neither possess Bush's versatile skill set.
Bush showed the ability to run between the tackles in Miami, but his best fit is as a hybrid player whom Stafford could take advantage of in the passing game. It's uncertain the Lions can afford Bush, given their salary-cap situation and the big decision they have to make on free-agent defensive end Cliff Avril.
But from a pure personnel standpoint, Bush makes a lot of sense.
Follow Dan Hanzus on Twitter @DanHanzus.
