John Niyo of the Detroit News reports the Detroit Lions have released veteran tight end John Madsen.

Madsen (6-5, 240) was signed on Tuesday, with the Lions waiving first-year wide receiver Kole Heckendorf to make room for Madsen on the off-season roster.

Heckendorf was claimed by the Seattle Seahawks.

In 35 career games, Madsen has 19 receptions for 248 yards and two touchdowns, but hasn't appeared in an NFL game November 9, 2008, when he was a member of the Oakland Raiders, who signed him as an undrafted free agent out of Utah in 2006.

Madsen was also a member of the Cleveland Browns, but was waived midway through last year's training camp.