Detroit, MI (Sports Network) - The Detroit Lions placed cornerback Drayton Florence on injured reserve with designation to return on Wednesday.

Under the new injured reserve rule added this past offseason, Florence will be able to return to practice in six weeks and return to game action two weeks after that.

He broke his right forearm in the third quarter of Sunday's loss to the 49ers and underwent successful surgery on Tuesday. He might be able to return to play later this season, but the team wanted to open a roster spot for running back Mikel Leshoure, who is eligible to play after serving a two-game suspension

Florence was released by the Denver Broncos as part of the team's roster- deadline cuts and was signed by Detroit two days later.

He had five tackles and two passes defensed in his two games with Detroit this season, and last season with the Bills, he totaled 50 tackles and three interceptions in all 16 games.

The 31-year-old Florence has 446 tackles and 17 interceptions in 137 career games with the San Diego Chargers, Jacksonville Jaguars, Bills and Lions.

The Sports Network