ALLEN PARK -- The situation at tackle got a little more muddled on Tuesday morning when the Lions claimed tackle Cliff Louis off waivers from the New York Giants. Louis, who is 6-foot-8 and 315 pounds, was waived on Aug. 20.

The Lions are likely to keep four offensive tackles.

Jeff Backus is a lock. So is rookie Jason Fox, a fourth-round project guy that the Lions wouldn’t want to put on the practice squad because he would be unlikely to clear waivers.

The battle is ongoing for the starting spot at right tackle between veteran Jon Jansen and Gosder Cherilus, a first-round pick in 2008. Cherilus started most of last year but the Lions weren’t happy with his play and wanted him to have a good offseason, step up and grab the starting role. So far he hasn’t done that.

Corey Hilliard, who can play left and right tackle, is also in the mix and is valuable because he’s multidimensional.

(Follow me on Twitter @paulapasche.)