Lions Sign WR Tre'Quan Smith to Reserve/Futures Contract

Smith is familiar with Dan Campbell.

The Detroit Lions have signed wide receiver Tre’Quan Smith to a reserve/futures contract after visiting the team Wednesday. 

Smith is a six-year NFL veteran who was most recently Denver Broncos’ practice squad. Because he was not on an active roster when the season ended, he is eligible to sign a reserve/futures contract.

There is familiarity between Smith and the Lions’ organization, as he spent the first five full seasons of his career with the New Orleans Saints. Drafted in the third round of the 2018 NFL Draft, Smith and Lions’ head coach Dan Campbell spent three seasons together in New Orleans when Campbell was the tight ends coach.

Smith has logged 67 career games, posting 131 receptions for 1,764 yards and 18 touchdowns. He was placed on injured reserve by the Saints on Sept. 9 and released on Sept. 26.

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The wideout landed on the Denver Broncos practice squad on Oct. 3, reuniting with former Saints head coach Sean Payton. He was elevated for one game but did not record a reception.

Detroit’s wide receiver depth could take a hit in free agency, as Josh Reynolds and Donovan Peoples-Jones are set to be unrestricted free agents when the league year begins in March.

Top wideout Amon-Ra St. Brown had an All-Pro season, surpassing 1,500 yards for the first time in his career. Jameson Williams is a breakout candidate for the 2024 season after a strong finish to the season.

Smith will likely provide competition for the room with an opportunity to make the roster out of training camp. He stands 6-foot-1 and was timed at 4.49 in the 40-yard dash at the 2018 NFL Scouting Combine.

The Lions also signed offensive lineman Netane Muti to a Reserve/Futures contract on Tuesday.