Courtesy Drake Athletic Media Relations

ALLEN PARK, Mich. – Former Drake All-American kicker Billy Cundiff signed a free agent contract with the Detroit Lions Wednesday after a group tryout following practice.

The Lions' regular kicker Jason Hanson is out until the start of the regular season, at least, following minor knee surgery last week. His backup, Swayze Waters, who filled in last week at Cleveland, went down with a hamstring injury Tuesday.

Cundiff has been a kicker in the National Football League for six years, including stints with Atlanta, Dallas, Green Bay, Kansas City, New Orleans and Tampa Bay.

The Harlan, Iowa, native signed as a free agent with Dallas in 2002 and tied a NFL record by making seven field goals in a 2003 Monday Night Football game at the New York Giants, including a 52-yarder on the final play of regulation to send the game into overtime followed by a 25-yard kick that gave the Cowboys a 35-32 victory.

Cundiff set a Dallas Cowboys record for the longest field goal -- at 56 yards -- ironically, in a 2005 game against Detroit.

Cundiff closed out his career at Drake in 2001 owning 15 school and five Pioneer Football League records, including Drake career marks for points (284), field goals (49-of-79) and PATs (137-of-151).

He also ranks 14th in the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision career field goal list connecting on 49.

Cundiff made eight field goals over 50 yards during his career at Drake, including a Pioneer Football League record 62-yard field goal as a junior in 2000 against San Diego.