Lions Sign Free Agents WR Anquan Boldin And LB Dominique Tovell
Allen Park, Mich. – The Detroit Lions announced today that they have signed free agents WR Anquan Boldin and LB Dominique Tovell. Contract terms were not disclosed.
Detroit also released WR Damian Copeland and LB Jerry Franklin.
Entering his 14th NFL season, Boldin joins the Lions following a three-year stint (2013-15) with the San Francisco 49ers. Last season he appeared in 14 games (13 starts) and led the 49ers with 69 receptions for 789 yards (11.4 avg) and four touchdowns. He spent the first seven seasons of his career with the Arizona Cardinals (2003-09) before playing three years with the Baltimore Ravens (2010-12), where he was a member of the Ravens' Super Bowl XLVII championship run.
Last season, Boldin received the NFL's 2015 Walter Payton Man of the Year Award, which recognizes an NFL player each season for his positive impact in the community.
Originally drafted by the Cardinals in the second round (54th overall) of the 2003 NFL Draft out of Florida State, Boldin has played in 186 career games and 14 career postseason games. His regular season career totals include 1,009 receptions (12th all-time) for 13,195 yards (17th all-time) and 74 touchdowns.
Tovell comes to Detroit after previously signing with the New Orleans Saints earlier this offseason. An undrafted rookie free agent out of Louisiana-Lafayette in 2016, Tovell recorded 238 total tackles in 50 games during his college career (2012-15).