Lions sign Matt Asiata

Matt Asiata #44 of the Minnesota Vikings runs with the ball in the first quarter against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on December 24, 2016 in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

(Dec. 24, 2016 - Source: Dylan Buell/Getty Images North America)

The Detroit Lions sign RB Matt Asiata to a one-year contract. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

The 29-year old rushed for 1,259 yards on 361 carries in his five seasons with the Minnesota Vikings, scoring 18 touchdowns in the process.

The Lions averaged 81.9 rushing yards per game last season, ranking them 30th in the NFL.

Matt Asiata offers a short-yardage option and will compete with RB Zach Zenner and RB Dwayne Washington for a roster spot behind RB Ameer Abdullah and RB Theo Riddick.

Detroit did not address their offensive backfield in the offseason, indicating that the Lions believe in Ameer Abdullah’s development after coming back from a foot injury he sustained in 2016.