December 18, 2011; Kansas City, MO, USA; Green Bay Packers running back Ryan Grant (25) runs for yardage as Kansas City Chiefs outside linebacker Justin Houston (50) attempts the tackle in the first half of the game at Arrowhead Stadium. The Chiefs won 19-14. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-US PRESSWIRE

News came out over the weekend that the Lions would give a workout to free agent running back Steve Slaton. At that time I noted the he would likely have other running backs working out with him because the Lions like to bring in a number of players that play the same position. It turns out that is exactly what will happen.

Former Green Bay Packers running back will be in town for a workout with the Lions on Tuesday, the same day that Steve Slaton will be in town. The interest in taking a look at what Grant has left is not surprising since the Lions reportedly had talks with Grant during the offseason although nothing serious developed.

With Mikel Leshoure coming back from suspension the Lions may not actually be in the market for a free agent running back but this workout will give them a look at Grant and Slaton in case they find themselves needing a running back later in the season.

Nov 24, 2011; Detroit, MI, USA; Green Bay Packers running back Ryan Grant (25) looks to get around Detroit Lions strong safety Chris Harris (43) during the third quarter of the Thanksgiving game at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-US PRESSWIRE

The close of last week brought news that the Detroit Lions had made a contract offer to former Packers running back Ryan Grant and that a subsequent meeting of the parties could take place as soon as Monday. That meeting never took place and it doesn’t appear any meeting is imminent.

There isn’t any reason to doubt that the Lions really did make an offer to Grant, but it would appear that the offer was not substantial enough to warrant any serious considerations at this time – at least not enough to make the effort to get together face to face.

How is a Lions fan to read this situation?

It seems reasonable to say that the two sides have some level of mutual interest. However, if the offer was not worth Grant’s time to make a face-to-face happen then it stands to reason that the Lions’ offer looked like little more than an insurance policy against injuries to their current trio of Jahvid Best, Mikel Leshoure and Kevin Smith.

Ryan Grant can’t be faulted for wanting something more than that. It’s possible he could find a larger role elsewhere but the Lions aren’t the organization to guarantee him that.

While it looks like things have cooled for now, it is a situation worth watching. Talks could heat up again if a better suitor doesn’t appear for Grant.

Jan 15, 2012; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers running back Ryan Grant (25) in the second half of the 2011 NFC divisional playoff game against the New York Giants at Lambeau Field. The Giants won 37-20. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-US PRESSWIRE

According to his agent, Ryan Grant will be visiting the Lions on Monday. Grant played a pivotal role in Green Bay’s Super Bowl run before sustaining an ankle injury in 2010. Since then, Grant’s production in Green Bay has significantly decreased. Grant, who is 29, is out to prove he still has gas left in the tank.

The Lions’ running backs were plagued by injuries last year so it makes since they are interested in signing Grant, but don’t expect him to play a big role in if he signs with the Lions. View the Lions interest in Grant as an insurance policy in case Jahvid Best or Mikel Leshoure suffer injuries this season.

If Best and Leshoure get bit by the injury bug again, the Lions will have Kevin Smith and Ryan Grant (if he signs) to form a formidable backfield to help the Lions make a deep playoff run. Signing Grant could be a very good move for the Lions, providing them with depth at a position they didn’t have much depth in last season.

Hopefully Best and Leshoure have very productive and injury free seasons, but if they don’t, the Lions should still have a productive backfield with Kevin Smith and Ryan Grant.