Lions deny any interest in signing Ray Rice to replace injured Ameer Abdullah

The Lions are not interested in signing Ray Rice and have never discussed the idea.

The Detroit Lions have rejected the rumor that the team is interested in signing former NFL running back Ray Rice.

“We are NOT signing Ray Rice, never have even discussed him,” a Lions executive texted ESPN's Adam Schefter. “1000% false.”

Lions executives also denied any interest to ProFootballTalk's Mike Florio.

Jason McIntyre of The Big Lead and Fox Sports first reported that the Lions were considering signing Rice. The Lions are in need of a running back after starter Ameer Abullah was placed on injured reserve.

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Lions head coach Jim Caldwell was a member of the Baltimore Ravens coaching staff that won a Super Bowl with Rice in 2012. He said before the 2015 season that he thought Rice would get a second chance, but that he was simply not a fit for Detroit.

Rice, 29, has not played in the NFL since a video surfaced of him punching his then-fiancee in a hotel elevator, but he has remained optimistic about a comeback to the league. In his six seasons with the Ravens, he made three Pro Bowl teams.