Allen Park, Mich. -- The Detroit Lions announced Thursday that they have signed free agent running back Artose Pinner to a one-year deal. Additional contract terms were not disclosed.
The 5-foot-10, 232-pound Pinner re-joins Detroit entering his sixth NFL season. He spent last year with Atlanta after being signed as a free agent just before the start of the season. Through five seasons, Pinner has played in 47 regular season games, including seven starts, and logged 250 rushes for 858 yards and eight touchdowns. He also has 39 receptions for 308 yards. Pinner was originally drafted by the Lions in the fourth round of the 2003 NFL Draft.
In 2007, Pinner played in seven games for the Falcons and finished with five carries for 46 yards. He spent the 2006 season with Minnesota and played in 12 regular season games (one start) while tallying 43 carries for 190 yards and matching a career-best three touchdowns (2005).
After missing most of his rookie season while recovering from a leg injury, Pinner played in the final three games of the 2003 season and started two for the Lions. He began to emerge as a regular contributor during the 2004 season when he played in nine games and started two in place of an injured Kevin Jones. Pinner finished his second season with 174 yards and his first two career touchdowns. In 2005, he played in all 16 games for the Lions posting 106 rushes for 349 yards and three touchdowns on the season.
