Lions put DE Copeland Bryan on injured reserve

Tim Twentyman / The Detroit News

Allen Park -- The Lions placed defensive end Copeland Bryan on injured reserve Thursday. He suffered a sprained MCL in his right knee against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday.

The Lions signed free agent linebacker Vinny Ciurciu to fill Bryan's spot on the roster.

Ciurciu was most recently with the New England Patriots, but was released Sept. 4. He was an undrafted rookie free agent in 2003 and has made stops with Tampa Bay, Carolina and Minnesota, in addition to New England, during his seven-year career.

Ciurciu worked out with the running backs and fullbacks during the portion of practice open to the media Thursday and could be used in a fullback role while Jerome Felton recovers from a shoulder injury.

Ciurciu began his college career at Clemson as a fullback and totaled 30 carries, four catches and a touchdown before transferring to Boston College. At Boston College, he switched to linebacker and led the team in tackles his junior and senior seasons.

Rookie quarterback Matthew Stafford (knee) continued to be held out of practice, though he was throwing short, medium and long-range passes on the sidelines and was moving quite well.

Receiver Calvin Johnson was not moving as well as he continues to suffer from a right knee injury. Johnson wore a brace on the knee and did some light jogging, but nothing more.

Linebacker Larry Foote also missed practice and had his right wrist heavily wrapped.

Also missing practice were quarterback Daunte Culpepper, defensive tackle Sammie Hill, and defensive ends Jason Hunter and Turk McBride.

ttwentyman@detnews.com