Nov 16, 2014; Glendale, AZ, USA; Detroit Lions strong safety James Ihedigbo (32) breaks up a pass intended for Arizona Cardinals wide receiver John Brown (12) during the second half at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Cardinals won 14-6. Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
ALLEN PARK, Mich. — Detroit Lions strong safety James Ihedigbo ended a brief holdout from voluntary workouts to rejoin the team for organized team activities, but he is seeking a raise.
Ihedigbo, 31, reiterated Wednesday that he outplayed his contract in Detroit in 2014 and is still hoping for more money next season.
“My focus is on this season coming up and putting the work in on that field to make sure I can help our team taking that next step and individually taking that next step,” he said.
In his first year with the Lions, Ihedigbo was a Pro Bowl alternate after getting 71 tackles, seven for loss, four interceptions, three forced fumbles and two sacks in 13 games. He is due $1.1 million in base salary for 2015 but thinks he deserves more, though he declined to provide an update on negotiations.
From the Lions’ standpoint, it’s hard to give Ihedigbo a raise as they already are tight against the salary cap and he might not fit the profile of a long-term investment considering he turns 32 this year.
The coaches also benched him in the second half of Week 17, and he struggled in the playoff loss at Dallas. Of course, the team was glad to have him back on the field after he chose to work out at home in Houston instead of at team headquarters the past month.
“I think it’s always good when we can get all of our guys back,” coach Jim Caldwell said. “I think that’s important. It gives us an opportunity to get better.”
Although Ihedigbo participated, the Lions had other players missing during the practice open to the media Wednesday.
Running back Joique Bell (knee/Achilles) and right tackle LaAdrian Waddle (knee) sat as they continue recovering from offseason surgeries. Second-round pick Ameer Abdullah was absent because of the NFLPA Rookie Premiere, and third-round pick Alex Carter still has academic obligations at Stanford.
Others were limited. Linebackers Stephen Tulloch (knee) and DeAndre Levy (undisclosed), right guard Larry Warford (undisclosed) and tight end Joseph Fauria (ankle) sat out team drills on Wednesday. Caldwell said some players are dealing with nagging injuries.
“They’re coming along well,” Caldwell said of the players recovering from surgeries, including Tulloch. “All of them are progressing. They’re all making good positive progress. No one is behind schedule at this point.”
