2015 DETROIT LIONS MEDIA GUIDE

26 - DON CAREY
Safety Norfolk State Norfolk, Va.
Year: 7 Ht: 5-11 Wt: 202 Born: 2/14/87
Draft: ’09, R6 (177)-Cle Acquired: FA ’11
Complete biographical information available on Detroitlions.com.
TRANSACTIONS
‣ ¾ Re-signed by the Lions to a three-year extension on January 10, 2014.
‣ ¾ Re-signed by the Lions to a one-year extension on January 3, 2013.
‣ ¾ Re-signed by the Lions on November 1, 2012.
‣ ¾ Released by the Lions on August 20, 2012.
‣ ¾ Signed by the Detroit Lions on October 25, 2011.
‣ ¾ Released by the Jaguars on September 3, 2011.
‣ ¾ Placed on Reserve/Injured by the Jaguars on September 1, 2009.
‣ ¾ Claimed off waivers by the Jacksonville Jaguars on August 8, 2009.
‣ ¾ Released by the Browns on August 6, 2009.
‣ ¾ Drafted by the Cleveland Browns in the sixth round (177th overall) of the 2009 NFL Draft.
PRO
Re-signed by the Lions to a three-year extension on January 10, 2014 and provides valuable depth in the team’s secondary.
Possesses the ability to contribute at safety and as a cornerback in nickel packages.
2014: Missed only three games due to a hamstring injury, and started three of his 13 games in 2014. Finished the season
with seven tackles (six solo), one fumble recovery and five special teams tackles.
‣ ¾ Inactive in Week 1 vs. New York Giants (9/8) and in Week 2 at Carolina (9/14).
‣ ¾ Returned a 40-yard fumble for his first career touchdown on the Packers’ second play from scrimmage in Week 3 vs.
Green Bay (9/21).
‣ ¾ Inactive in Week 4 at New York Jets (9/28).
‣ ¾ Saw playing time in a backup safety role in Week 5 vs. Buffalo (10/5).
‣ ¾ Collected one special teams tackle in Week 6 at Minnesota (10/12).
‣ ¾ Picked up one solo tackle in Week 7 vs. New Orleans (10/19).
‣ ¾ Appeared in the game in a backup safety role in Week 8 at Atlanta (10/26).
‣ ¾ Made one tackle in Week 10 vs. Miami (11/9).
‣ ¾ Had two special teams tackles in Week 11 at Arizona (11/16).
‣ ¾ Collected one special teams tackle in Week 12 at New England (11/23).
‣ ¾ Saw playing time in a backup safety role in Week 13 vs. Chicago (11/27).
‣ ¾ Appeared in the game in a backup safety role in Week 14 vs. Tampa Bay (12/7).
‣ ¾ Saw playing time in a backup safety role in Week 15 vs. Minnesota (12/14).
‣ ¾ Collected a pair of solo tackles in Week 16 at Chicago (12/21).
‣ ¾ Posted three tackles in Week 17 at Green Bay (12/28).
‣ ¾ Registered two tackles (one for loss) in the NFC Wild Card game at Dallas (1/4).
2013: Was a versatile option at nickel and a source of stability to the Lions secondary and special teams coverage unit.
Totaled 19 tackles (16 solo), two pass defenses and finished second on the team in special teams tackles with 11 (eight
solo). Had a breakout performance at Pittsburgh (11/17/13) where he started at linebacker and had a career-high nine
tackles (seven solo).
‣ ¾ Recorded one special teams tackle in Week 1 vs. Minnesota (9/8).
‣ ¾ Inactive in Week 2 at Arizona (9/15) and Week 3 at Washington (9/22).
‣ ¾ In Week 4 vs. Chicago (9/29) assisted on one special teams tackle.
‣ ¾ Recorded two special teams tackles in Week 5 at Green Bay (10/6).
‣ ¾ Had two special teams tackles in Week 6 at Cleveland (10/13).
‣ ¾ In Week 8 vs. Dallas (10/27), registered one pass defense and one special teams tackle.
‣ ¾ Had two solo tackles in Week 10 at Chicago (11/10). Both tackles took place in the second half against RB Matt Forte.
‣ ¾ Started at nickel in Week 11 at Pittsburgh (11/17) and posted a career-high nine tackles (seven solo), including two
tackles for loss.
‣ ¾ Had one solo tackle, one pass defense, a forced fumble and two special teams tackles in Week 12 vs. Tampa Bay (11/24).
‣ ¾ Was actively involved in special teams coverage in Week 13 vs. Green Bay (11/28) and Week 14 at Philadelphia (12/8).
‣ ¾ Totaled four tackles (three solo), including two tackles for loss in Week 15 vs. Baltimore (12/16).
‣ ¾ Had three solo tackles, including one tackle for loss, and one special teams tackle in Week 16 vs. New York Giants (12/22).
‣ ¾ Started in Week 17 at Minnesota (12/29) and assisted on one special teams tackle.
COLLEGE
Four-year starter at Norfolk State. Became the first player to be drafted from the school in the Division I era (since 1998).
‣ ¾ Two time member of the All-MEAC Second Team in 2007 and 2008.
‣ ¾ Recorded five interceptions during his senior season. He returned one interception 94 yards for a touchdown.
‣ ¾ Also had a 49-yard fumble return for a touchdown in 2008.
‣ ¾ Had eight interceptions and 14 pass breakups during his junior and senior seasons.
‣ ¾ In his career, he posted 179 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, 10 interceptions, and 35 pass breakups.
DETROIT LIONS
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