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Nate Burleson | Wide Receiver

Team: Detroit Lions
Age / DOB:  (31) / 8/19/1981
Ht / Wt:  6'0' / 198
College: Nevada
Contract: view contract details
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Latest News

Recent News

The Lions' official website considers the No. 2 wideout job Nate Burleson's to lose.
Burleson won't be facing stiff competition. Sixth-rounder Corey Fuller is raw, Ryan Broyles is a slot receiver that's coming off an ACL tear, and Mike Thomas/Brian Robiskie/Kris Durham are all journeymen at best. Burleson averaged 4.5 catches for 40.0 yards per game last season, but will turn 32 in August and is coming off a broken leg. There won't be much upside here. May 7 - 8:46 AM
Source: detroitlions.com

Highest Searched Players over the last 7 days


Player News

Date:
Nate Burleson - WR - Lions

Nate Burleson (broken leg) says he's "healed up," and "three months ahead of schedule."

"I just got news from my doctors that the bone is good," he said. "I'm running and jumping three months ahead of schedule." Going on 32, Burleson's roster spot should be safe after he restructured his contract in February. Currently No. 2 on the depth chart, he'll be a late-round option in PPR leagues.
Source: NFL.com
Apr 22 - 9:05 AM
Nate Burleson - WR - Lions

Nate Burleson's restructured contract drops his 2013 base salary from $4.5 million to $2 million.

His new cap number is $4.031 million. Burleson would have surely had to take a bigger cut were it not for the sorry state of the Lions' receiver corps. As it is, Ryan Broyles' injury and the firing of Titus Young ensure he'll be a big part of the offense in 2013.
Source: Dave Birkett on Twitter
Feb 27 - 2:38 PM
Nate Burleson - WR - Lions

Nate Burleson has agreed to restructure his contract, which will likely keep him with the Lions in 2013.

Details are unknown, but Burleson was scheduled to reel in a $4.5 million base salary in 2013, a year after breaking his leg. Burleson, 31, is one of the leaders for Detroit, so it makes sense to keep him around on a young team looking for direction. He's said he expects to be ready for the offseason program.
Source: Detroit Free Press
Feb 21 - 3:54 PM
Nate Burleson - WR - Lions

Nate Burleson (leg) expects to be ready for the beginning of the offseason program.

Monday's release of problem child Titus Young puts even more emphasis on Burleson's health. The 31-year-old veteran carries a $6.5 million cap number for 2013, but the Lions are desperate for wideout help behind Calvin Johnson. Ryan Broyles is rehabbing another torn ACL and the only other receivers on the roster are borderline NFL talents Kris Durham, Mike and Devin Thomas, Patrick Edwards and Brian Robiskie. Burleson will have some leverage if/when the Lions ask him to restructure his deal.
Source: Detroit Free Press
Feb 5 - 8:23 AM
Nate Burleson - WR - Lions

Lions GM Martin Mayhew said he is monitoring Nate Burleson's rehab from a broken leg closely.

The Lions are up against the salary cap once again this season and Burleson's current cap number is $6.5 million. He said he's willing to renegotiate and the Lions want one of their team leaders back, but he's going to have to be healthy. The depth chart behind Calvin Johnson is a mess with Ryan Broyles and Burleson coming off serious injuries and Titus Young a wild card.
Source: Detroit Free Press
Jan 17 - 9:16 AM
Nate Burleson - WR - Lions

Nate Burleson (broken leg) hinted that he would be willing to consider restructuring his contract to remain with the Lions in 2013.

"Without saying too much, I'm willing to work it out," said Burleson, "because I love this team and I feel this is my best chance to win a Super Bowl before I shut it down in a few more years." Burleson believes the feeling is mutual in the Lions front office. The 31-year-old expects to be fully healthy by February, allowing him to take part in all of the team's offseason workouts.
Source: Detroit News
Mon, Dec 31, 2012 03:37:00 PM
Nate Burleson - WR - Lions

Nate Burleson (broken leg, injured reserve) has shed his crutches, and believes he should be ready for football activities by February.

Signed for $4.5 million next season, Burleson's odds of returning to Detroit in 2013 were initially very long, but have improved dramatically with Titus Young pouting his way out of town and Ryan Broyles tearing his ACL. Burleson will still likely have to take a pay-cut to remain a Lion, however. He won't be on the fantasy radar.
Source: Dave Birkett on Twitter
Wed, Dec 5, 2012 03:10:00 PM
Nate Burleson - WR - Lions

Nate Burleson (IR, leg) admitted that he could be released prior to next season.

Burleson is staring at eight months of rehab after breaking his leg in Week 7. When he returns, he'll be 32 and owed $4.5 million in base salary. As the Lions are finding out now, their offense runs smoother with Titus Young opposite Calvin Johnson and Ryan Broyles in the slot. "With them balling out completely, it could leave me the odd man out," a mature Burleson conceded.
Source: DetroitLions.com
Thu, Nov 8, 2012 07:59:00 AM
Nate Burleson - WR - Lions

Lions placed WR Nate Burleson on injured reserve with a broken leg, ending his season.

Burleson will undergo surgery, and will be sidelined eight months. That has him iffy for OTAs and next June's minicamp, though he should be 100 percent for training camp. Although Burleson has been a consistent producer since arriving in Detroit in 2010, he's lost a good deal of his burst, and adds little after the catch. Signed through 2014, it's doubtful the Lions have interesting in paying all, if any, of his $4.5 million 2013 salary.
Source: Anwar Richardson on Twitter
Wed, Oct 24, 2012 03:37:00 PM
Nate Burleson - WR - Lions

Nate Burleson will undergo surgery to repair his broken leg and could be sidelined up to eight months.

He's not only done for the season, but could also miss the entirety of offseason practices as well. Due $4.5 million in 2013, the 31-year-old faces an uncertain future in Detroit. If Ryan Broyles and Titus Young prove up to the task in the second half of the season, Burleson will almost certainly be asked to restructure his contract. It's possible that he will be released altogether.
Source: Detroit Free Press
Tue, Oct 23, 2012 03:56:00 PM
Nate Burleson - WR - Lions

Nate Burleson broke his right leg in Monday night's loss to the Bears and will miss the remainder of the 2012 season.

Burleson left the game in the third quarter after catching a 16-yard pass over the middle. The 31-year-old finishes the season with 27 catches for 240 yards and two touchdowns. Rookie Ryan Broyles caught three passes and a touchdown after Burleson exited and will take on a larger role as the No. 3 wideout now. Titus Young steps into an every-down role as the No. 2 man opposite Calvin Johnson. Burleson has two years and $10 million remaining on his contract.
Source: Dave Birkett on Twitter
Tue, Oct 23, 2012 12:14:00 AM
Nate Burleson - WR - Lions

Nate Burleson left Monday night's game against the Bears with an apparent right knee injury and will not return.

Burleson caught a 16-yard pass in the third quarter but landed on his right leg awkwardly and looked to have hyperextended his knee. He had just the one catch on three targets before exiting. Burleson was later carted to the locker room. The 10-year veteran has been a favorite of Matthew Stafford's this season. Ryan Broyles should see an uptick in snaps.
Mon, Oct 22, 2012 10:45:00 PM
Nate Burleson - WR - Lions

Nate Burleson (undisclosed) returned to practice on Thursday.

It's still not clear why Burleson missed Wednesday's practice, but it's a non-issue now. Rotoworld ranks Burleson just 43rd among fantasy receivers for Week 7.
Source: DetroitLions.com
Thu, Oct 18, 2012 02:14:00 PM
Nate Burleson - WR - Lions

Nate Burleson was absent from Wednesday's practice.

It appears it was just a day of rest for Burleson, who wasn't known to be nicked in Sunday's loss. Today was just an extra session for the Lions, who won't officially return to practice until Thursday since they're playing on Monday Night Football. Burleson should be ready to roll in PPR leagues.
Source: Chris McCosky on Twitter
Wed, Oct 17, 2012 02:50:00 PM

Depth Charts

Skill Players
PosRoleName
QB1Matthew Stafford
2Shaun Hill
3Kellen Moore
4Alex Carder
RB1Reggie Bush
2Mikel Leshoure
3Joique Bell
4Theo Riddick
5Steven Miller
GLB1Mikel Leshoure
2Reggie Bush
3RB1Reggie Bush
2Joique Bell
FB1Shaun Chapas
WR11Calvin Johnson
2Ryan Broyles
3Mike Thomas
4Brian Robiskie
5Chastin West
WR21Nate Burleson
2Corey Fuller
3Kris Durham
4Lance Long
5Devin Thomas
WR31Ryan Broyles
TE1Brandon Pettigrew
2Tony Scheffler
3Michael Williams
4Dominique Curry
5Nathan Overbay
K1David Akers
2Havard Rugland