ALLEN PARK, Mich. (May 22, 2006) -- The Detroit Lions released defensive tackle Dan Wilkinson, and re-signed linebacker James Davis to a one-year contract.
Wilkinson, the No. 1 pick overall in the 1994 draft, spent the last three seasons in Detroit after five with the Washington Redskins. He spent his first four seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals.
The 6-foot-4, 353-pound Wilkinson did a solid job of occupying offensive linemen, freeing up teammates to make tackles, after being more of a pass-rushing threat earlier in his career. He has 455 career tackles and 54 sacks in 185 career games, including 48 straight starts with the Lions.
Davis played in all 16 of Detroit's games last season, and finished third on the team with 79 tackles and recovered a fumble. The Lions drafted him in the fifth round in 2003.
