Detroit Lions Place Drayton Florence on Short-term IR to Active Mikel Leshoure

Aug 30, 2012; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) hands off the ball to running back Mikel Leshoure (25) during the first quarter of a preseason game against the Buffalo Bills at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-US PRESSWIRE

The Detroit Lions had a decision to make with Mikel Leshoure returning from suspension. A roster move of some sort had to be made and the Lions were able to do it without having to release a player.

Instead, cornerback Drayton Florence, who broke his arm in Sunday night’s loss to the 49ers, was placed on short-term injured-reserve.

Short-term IR is a new designation this season that allows a team to allocate the roster spot elsewhere without having to go without the player for the rest of the season. As a result, Florence will be eligible to practice with the team in six weeks and return to game action in eight weeks. Short-term IR can only be used once per season.

Mikel Leshoure practiced with the team for the first time today as his suspension was lifted and figures to play a key role in the Lions’ offensive attack in week three against the Tennessee Titans.