ALLEN PARK — Brian Witherspoon, a cornerback and kicker, arrived at the Lions practice facility about midway through practice today. He’ll have a short time to get acclimated. He said he has been told he will be the Lions kick returner on Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals. Witherspoon, who played at  Stillman with rookie defensive tackle Sammie Hill, was claimed off waivers from the Jacksonville Jaguars. Aaron Brown was benched after botching a kick return in the loss at Baltimore on Sunday.

Also, tight end Michael Matthews, who was waived by New England on Oct. 20, was signed. He started 11 games with the New York Giants in 2007 and 2008. The Lions are short at tight end with Casey FitzSimmons placed on injured reserve with a concussion.

Running back Cedric Peerman was elevated from the practice squad and could get a chance to back up Maurice Morris in Sunday’s game. Starting running back Kevin Smith is out for the season with an ACL tear in his left knee.

Wide receiver Eric Fowler, who was cut last week by the Lions, was re-signed to the practice squad. Also defensive tackle Terrance Taylor (Michigan) was signed to the practice squad. Cornerback Jahi Word-Daniels was cut.

See more on the Lions in Thursday’s Oakland Press.
— PAULA PASCHE