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Top Matt Asiata News
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Matt Asiata: Cut loose by Lions
The Lions released Asiata on Friday.
Asiata would have provided some goal-line punch if he made the Lions' 53-man roster, but his performance in the preseason was lacking, to say least. He converted 27 carries into 66 yards and no touchdowns, adding two catches on four targets for 14 yards. After a successful five-year run with the Vikings prior to this stint with the Lions, it wouldn't surprise if another organization gives Asiata a shot, perhaps as early as Week 1.
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Lions' Matt Asiata: Logs six carries vs. Patriots
Asiata carried six times for 21 yards during the Lions' preseason loss to the Patriots on Friday.
Though he received a decent amount of work Friday, Asiata benefitted from Zach Zenner's (undisclosed) absence and wasn't particularly impressive in any right. He'll have one more chance to make a statement in the preseason finale Thursday against the Bills.
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Lions' Matt Asiata: Carries five times Saturday
Asiata rushed five times for 10 yards in Saturday's preseason game against the Jets. He also caught one of two targets for nine yards.
Asiata, who notably entered the game ahead of second-year RB Dwayne Washington, was effective in pass protection but looked to be his usual plodding self as a runner Saturday. He'll likely need to make a much larger impression in the third preseason game in order to unseat Washington for the No. 4 job, as Asiata's skillset is seemingly redundant that of Zach Zenner, who sits at No. 3 on the depth chart.
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Lions' Matt Asiata: No lock for final roster
Asiata's chances of making the final roster will depend on the health of the running backs ahead of him on the Lions' depth chart, Dave Birkett of The Detroit Free Press reports.
Signed in late May to add veteran depth to a relatively young Detroit backfield, Asiata is a jack of all trades but a master of none. He's capable -- but not proficient -- in nearly all of the responsibilities that belong to a modern day NFL running back, including pass protection, catching balls out of the backfield, and toting the rock. However, he's buried under Ameer Abdullah, Theo Riddick (wrist), Zach Zenner and Dwayne Washington on the depth chart. There's a chance Detriot keeps five running backs on the 53-man roster in 2017 since it let go of fullback Michael Burton this offseason, but as it stands, Asiata looks to be competing with fellow reserve Mike James to claim the potential No. 5 RB job.
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Lions' Matt Asiata: Signs with Detroit
Asiata agreed to a one-year deal with the Lions on Friday, Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.
Asiata, who spent the previous five seasons with the Vikings, will remain in the NFC North as a member of the Lions. The 29-year-old's best season in Minnesota came in 2014, when he tallied 882 total yards to go along with nine touchdowns. With Adrian Peterson sidelined much of 2016, Asiata managed a respectable 402 yards on 121 carries and six touchdowns. He will enter a crowded backfield in Detroit, so it remains to be seen whether he'll make the final roster. The team is likely looking for a bigger back to pair with the elusiveness of Ameer Abdullah and Theo Riddick.
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Player Bio
| HT/WT: 6-0, 219 lbs |
| Birthplace: Garden Grove, CA, USA |
| Age: 37 |
| School: Utah |
| Experience: 6 |