After a horribly disappointing season in 2013, the Detroit Lions are already attempting to rework their roster. In a recent move, the Lions have signed Carlin Isles, who is being hailed as the “fastest man in rugby,” and played the wing position for Team USA Rugby.

Isles has been signed to the practice squad, and with the hopes of making the playoffs out of the question, the Lions are already looking forward to 2014.

The Lions should have been able to make the playoffs, and led the NFC North for much of the season, but after losing 4 of their last 5 games, their season completely flipped around.

The Detroit Lions have already been looking forward to 2014, and while Carlin Isles is not the only one, the team has been hosting workouts for several players over the past week.

In a year that had both Jay Cutler and Aaron Rodgers injured for much of the season, the Lions were expected to win the division, and even started the season 6-3.

After falling to 7-8 on the year, Jim Schwartz is currently in the hot seat, and is unlikely to return as the head coach of the Lions next year.

To see @Staff_9 throw the football like a rugby ball today was very impressive today!! Lol @USASevensRugby

— Carlin Isles (@Carlin_Isles) December 27, 2013

Head coach had me race one of the faster dudes on team And I won yay lol today was a fun day great people on the Detroit lions football team

— Carlin Isles (@Carlin_Isles) December 27, 2013

It was reported that Carlin Isles worked out with the team on Monday, and ran a 4.22-second 40-yard dash. He has previously played football for Ashland University in Ohio, but has never played in the NFL before.

Although Jim Schwartz may not be sticking with the team much longer anyway, he was the one who was in charge of signing Carlin Isles, and the coach spoke on the unconventional signing when saying “An athlete’s an athlete. There’s skills that you can develop, and if you see something you like then you can work with him.”

As fans of the Lions know, this is certainly not the first time that the team has taken an unconventional route to adding players to their roster. Just in the past year, they have tried out a German Football League wide receiver, and there was Harvard Rugland, a kicker who became a Youtube sensation for his kicking skills.

Carlin Isles was signed to the team’s practice squad on Thursday, and while his position is unknown, with his speed, he would likely be a punt and kick returner.

Best of luck to @Carlin_Isles in the NFL! I just may have to cheer for the Lions now! #RuggerLove #RuggerAtHeart

— Meagan Vaughan (@mavaughan90) December 27, 2013

Congrats to @Carlin_Isles on signing w/ @DetroitLionsNFL practice squad. Glad you'll still be representing #USARugby! pic.twitter.com/Pt2PCdOcII

— USA Rugby (@USARugby) December 27, 2013

Image via Youtube