Anquan Boldin will wear No. 80, not No. 81, with Detroit Lions

The Detroit Lions haven't retired Calvin Johnson's No. 81 jersey -- yet -- but they won't be putting that number in circulation this season, either.

The Lions announced today that newly signed wide receiver Anquan Boldin will wear No. 80 this season.

Boldin has worn No. 81 throughout his NFL career, in stops with the Arizona Cardinals, Baltimore Ravens and San Francisco 49ers, but the Lions decided not to issue that uniform number, out of respect for Johnson.

Johnson retired in March as the Lions' all-time leader in receptions (731) and receiving yards (11,619) and likely is destined for enshrinement in the Pro Football Hall of Fame when he's eligible in five years.

The Lions spent the off-season revamping their receiving corps. They signed Marvin Jones to share No. 1 duties with Golden Tate, added a slew of journeymen in Jeremy Kerley, Andre Roberts and Andre Caldwell, and this week, signed Boldin, a three-time Pro Bowler who led the San Francisco 49ers with 69 catches for 789 yards last year.

"He has a long track record in this league of catching a lot of balls and playing in important games, playoff games, Super Bowls, and things like that," Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford said. "Not only that, he’s a great guy in the locker room, by all accounts. I had the chance to meet with him when he was on his visit here. Sat down and talked to him for a little bit. He’s just a really good guy."

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Contact Dave Birkett at dbirkett@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter@davebirkett

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