Kicker Dave Rayner was signed by the Lions today to fill in for Jason Hanson who is expected to be out two to three weeks with an MCL sprain.

To make room on the roster, cornerback Jonathan Wade was released. Wade started the first four games this season, but lost his starting role to Alphonso Smith. He played nickel back until last week when Brandon McDonald took over.

Rayner, who kicked at Oxford High School, played at Michigan State. He was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts in 2005 and has also played for Green Bay, Cincinnati (twice), Kansas City, San Diego, Miami and the Washington Redskins.

Rayner was with the Lions in the 2008 preseason and was six for seven on field goals while Jason Hanson was rehabbing an injury.

He spent the past offseason with the Bengals and was cut on Sept. 4.

(Follow me on Twitter @PaulaPasche.)