Kassim Osgood will not have a lot of time to prove he is worthy of a roster spot in Detroit.

But the Lions were likely acting with the knowledge that they have a clear need for an upgrade on special teams when they signed the wide receiver. Osgood is 32 and is seasoned with nine years of experience. The Lions are hoping he’s got a little left to give after they added him to compete for what would be a sixth wide receiver spot on the roster.

“Just a beast, man,” Lions linebacker Justin Durant said in describing Osgood, according to the Detroit Free Press. “Especially on special teams, he’s one of the best I’ve seen do it. Tough big, physical, fast — everything you want. The man plays hard.”

Osgood was on the street because he’s an experienced veteran in a role that teams usually seek younger, cheaper options. He is not expected to play until the preseason finale against the Buffalo Bills next week. The Lions ought to be able to tell if he has what it will take to help on special teams in a role that another veteran Rashied Davis held last season.

“When you get late in your years, you get those small opportunities, you’ve got to come make the most of it,” Osgood said. “They gave me a pretty good workout (Wednesday). It was intense but that’s the point they wanted to get across right away, is that up here, it’s no nonsense, and everything’s full speed. It’s a great organization to be a part of.”

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Brad Biggs covers the Bears for the Chicago Tribune