Lions Take Golden Tate Off PUP List
By Ashley Dunkak
@AshleyDunkak
ALLEN PARK (CBS DETROIT) - Detroit Lions wide receiver Golden Tate participated in practice Monday, just days after the team announced he would be on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list to start training camp.
This offseason, the Lions signed Tate and drafted tight end Eric Ebron with the intent to give quarterback Matthew Stafford even more options in what is expected to be a formidable offense. Tate was one of the Lions' biggest offseason acquisitions, reportedly given a five-year, $31 million deal.
"He's a very important piece to our offense," head coach Jim Caldwell said Monday. "He has a lot ... in terms of his ability to catch the ball, run with it, block. He's a high energy guy. His leadership is extremely important as well, so were certainly glad to have him back."
Tate had been on the PUP list as a result of a shoulder injury suffered in OTAs. That the injury is no longer expected to keep him out of practice will be particularly valuable considering Tate and Stafford do not have the history Stafford has with other receivers.
"For sure, the quarterback-wide receiver combination is all about trust and timing, and you develop that out here on the practice field," Stafford said, "and it'll be a work in progress, but it's something we're excited about."