According to a league source, the Detroit Lions have signed rookie free agent kicker Aaron Pettrey to a one-year contract.

Pettrey had signed with the Carolina Panthers after going undrafted in the 2010 NFL Draft, but was waived on June 17 to accommodate the signing of a couple of draft picks.

The 6-1, 202-pound Pettrey was 29-of-39 on field goal attempts during his Ohio State career, with a career-long of 54 yards. Pettrey also connected on 86-of-90 extra point attempts. A strong-legged kicker, Pettrey was 18-of-23 on field goal attempts over 40 yards, and delivered 56 career touchbacks as the Buckeyes' kickoff specialist in 2006 and 2008. (Pettrey was slowed by a hip flexor in '07)

Last season, Pettrey handled all of the kicking duties, and was 14-of-20 on field goal attempts and 30-of-31 on extra points during a regular season that was cut short by a torn right MCL. Pettrey recovered quickly enough to kick for the Buckeyes in the Rose Bowl, converting from 45 yards out in the 26-17 win over Oregon.

Pettrey takes the roster spot of kicker Justin Medlock, who was waived on Tuesday, and will presumably be the backup to 40-year old kicker Jason Hanson when training camp opens up on July 30.

Pettrey and Hanson were both born on June 17, albeit 16 years apart.