Veteran Chaz Schilens was the Detroit Lions' choice to bolster their receiving depth on the eve of training camp. He also represented the smallest degree of health risk among the three receivers who worked out Wednesday.
Schilens appeared in 15 games for the New York Jets last season and had the best health résumé of the three candidates. Veteran Laurent Robinson reportedly suffered four concussions last season and wasn't fully recovered until this summer, while teams have been scared away from Steve Breaston because of a knee injury that limited him to 10 games last season with the Kansas City Chiefs.
It's quite possible that Breaston and Robinson will go on to play this season in the NFL, but the best option for what the Lions need at the moment -- a healthy body who is ready to take reps -- was Schilens. Two of the Lions' top three receivers -- Nate Burleson and Ryan Broyles -- are coming back from season-ending injuries. Broyles might not be ready to start training camp, and the Lions have been on the lookout for veteran insurance all offseason.
Schilens will join a group that also includes Calvin Johnson, Mike Thomas and Patrick Edwards in addition to Burleson and Broyles.
