ALLEN PARK, Mich., May 26 (UPI) -- The Detroit Lions apparently have agreed to terms with veteran wide receiver Shawn Jefferson, a 12-year veteran.
He averaged 14.6 yards on 27 receptions with Atlanta last season.
The Detroit Free Press reported that Jefferson, 34, agreed to a one-year deal for $775,000, including a $25,000 signing bonus. He will be a mentor to rookie Charles Rogers of Michigan State, who was the Lions' No. 1 pick in the NFL Draft and second overall.
The 5-foot-11, 185-pounder caught 27 passes for 394 yards and one touchdown last season for the Falcons. In his career, he has 464 career receptions for 6,977 yards and 29 touchdowns.
Jefferson has been durable in his pro career, having played in every game in 10 of his 12 seasons. The two years he did not play every game were last year, when he missed three games, and 1996, when he missed one.
He also has played for San Diego and New England. The Falcons released him in February in a salary-cap move.
Jefferson has his best campaign in 2000, caught a career-high 60 passes for Atlanta for 822 yards and two touchdowns.
