Detroit Lions sign TE Andrew Quarless despite two-game suspension

The Detroit Lions signed free agent Andrew Quarless on Monday despite the tight end facing a two-game suspension for firing a gun in public.

Quarless, who played the previous six seasons with the Green Bay Packers (2010-15), was suspended under the league's personal-conduct policy as a result of the incident in Miami Beach on July 4, 2015. He was sentenced to one year of probation and given a $1,000 fine after pleading no contest in November.

"We are aware of the upcoming NFL suspension of Andrew Quarless," Lions general manager Bob Quinn said in a statement. "We have thoroughly researched the incident that caused the suspension and have talked at length with Andrew about this. Andrew has been forthright and honest about the situation and he has gone through the process within the legal system. As an organization we are comfortable with adding Andrew to the roster and look forward to seeing him compete for the rest of the preseason."

Quinn talked about his zero-tolerance policy at his introductory news conference in January after being hired as GM.

"The two things that are zero tolerance are domestic violence and dangerous weapons," Quinn said in January. "Those are the two things I'm not going to stand for, I don't believe in. That's how I feel."

A fifth-round draft selection by the Packers in 2010 out of Penn State, Quarless recorded 89 receptions for 940 yards and six touchdowns in 60 games (27 starts). In eight postseason games (two starts), he totaled 10 receptions for 85 yards and one touchdown.

The Lions have been short-handed at tight end with Eric Ebron recovering from an ankle injury, Brandon Pettigrew on the physically unable to perform list coming back from a torn ACL and Tim Wright on injured reserve.

Quarless is eligible to practice with the Lions but will miss the first two games of the regular season.

The Lions also signed free agent linebacker Dominique Tovell.

Tovell rejoins the Lions after signing with the team earlier in training camp. An undrafted rookie free agent out of Louisiana-Lafayette, he has also held previous stints with the New Orleans Saints and Atlanta Falcons in 2016.

In addition, the Lions waived tight end Ben McCord and placed wide receiver Andre Caldwell (hand) on injured reserve. Caldwell had missed the last two weeks of practice.