DETROIT, Nov. 9 (UPI) -- Free agent kicker Dave Rayner said Tuesday he has been signed by the Detroit Lions to replace injured veteran Jason Hanson.
The 28-year-old former Michigan State Spartan told The Detroit News the Lions awarded him with a contract after a workout.
"It went really well," Rayner told the newspaper. "I hit the ball really well, and I'm signing my contract as we speak."
The Lions held tryouts Tuesday for Rayner and fellow free-agent kicker Shaun Suisham. To make room for Rayner, the team waived cornerback Jonathan Wade.
A new kicker was necessitated when the 40-year-old Hanson suffered a ligament injury to his kicking leg in the Lions' 23-20 overtime loss to the New York Jets Sunday. He was hurt when the Jets' Trevor Pryce ran into him during a field goal try.
Rookie defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh was sent in to boot an extra point kick later in the game, which he missed.
Rayner played for Michigan State from 2001-04 and last played in the NFL for the Cincinnati Bengals in 2008. Hanson had converted 12-of-14 field goal attempts with a longest boot of 52 yards this season.
