Ex-Lion Burleson to join CBS Sports’ NFL pregame show

Former Lions receiver Nate Burleson is joining CBS Sports as an analyst on its “The NFL Today” pregame show, the network announced Monday.

Burleson, who played for the Lions from 2010-13, joins host James Brown, former Steelers coach Bill Cowher, and former quarterbacks Boomer Esiason and Phil Simms on the show.

Burleson, 35, has worked as an analyst for the NFL Network, and also has worked for Fox Sports Detroit broadcasting Lions exhibition games.

“Nate is a rising star in this business with a dynamic personality and is the perfect complement to our veteran cast,” CBS Sports chairman Sean McManus said in a news release from the network. “He is knowledgeable, passionate, opinionated and, having recently played, we look forward to his perspective during the discussions and spirited debates with JB, Coach, Boomer and Phil.”

Burleson played four-season stint in Detroit capped an 11-year career in the NFL that includes stops in Minnesota, where he was drafted in 2003, and Seattle. Burleson caught 457 passes for 5,630 yards (12.3 average) and 39 touchdowns in his career, including 294 catches for 2,083 yards and 12 touchdowns with the Lions.

“ ‘The NFL Today’ is one of the few trademark shows in all of professional sports, and I am truly honored to be joining the team,” Burleson said in the release.