Shaun Alexander works out for Lions

Sep 17, 2008 - 7:09 PM ALLEN PARK, Michigan (Ticker) -- The Detroit Lions, who evidently are still unsatisfied with their depth at running back, invited former NFL Most Valuable Player Shaun Alexander to work out at the team's training facility Tuesday.

Alexander, 31, was released by the Seattle Seahawks last April following two injury-marred campaigns.

A three-time Pro Bowler, Alexander was not invited to training camp by any of the NFL's 31 other teams this summer and still is jobless two-plus weeks into the current regular season.

But the Lions (0-2), who have used rookie Kevin Smith and recently signed veteran Rudi Johnson at running back this season, clearly are looking to improve their depth at the position.

Along with Alexander, the Lions also invited the troubled Cedric Benson and Verand Morency to meet the team's coaches and front-office personnel Tuesday.

Alexander arguably was the NFL's most productive running back over a five-year stretch from 2001-05, rushing for at least 1,175 yards and scoring at least 16 touchdowns every season during that stint.

Alexander capped that run in 2005 with the best season of his career when he ran for 1,880 yards and 27 TDs, an NFL single-season record at the time.

But after signing the eight-year, $62 million contract which made him the richest running back in NFL history, Alexander struggled with injuries during the 2006 campaign, rushing for 896 yards while missing six games to nurse a broken foot.

The all-time rushing leader in Seahawks franchise history, Alexander appeared in 13 games - 10 starts - last season, rushing for just 716 yards and four touchdowns while battling an injured wrist.