With the absence of Titus Young, the Detroit Lions are in need of another wide receiver to place across from Calvin Johnson.

Nate Burleson will return, but he’ll be 32 in August and is coming off a broken leg. Ryan Broyles, who is coming off ACL surgery, might not be ready to start the season.

Is free agent Darrius Heyward-Bey the answer?

Bey is expected to visit the Lions after stopping in to visit the Indianapolis Colts on Monday.

 He was drafted seventh overall in 2009 by the Raiders. It was considered a reach, but his strength was his straight-line speed.

  Heyward-Bey started 14 games last season, finishing with 41 catches for 606 yards and five touchdowns.

  Certainly the Lions will closely look at Heyward-Bey’s concussion history. He was knocked unconscious in Week 3 last season. He said it took a week to feel like himself again. He missed the game the next week, then had a bye week before getting back in action.

His best season was in 2011 when he had 64 catches for 975 yards and four touchdowns.

(Follow @PaulaPasche on Twitter. Order her new book,  “100 Things Lions Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die’’ here. It’s also available at bookstores.)