As the NFL trade deadline comes to a close at 4 p.m. today, the Lions are in the talks of trading running back Mikel Leshoure, Detroit’s 2011 second-round draft pick as they are pushing for a playoff spot.

With a 5-3 record and heading into the bye week, trading for a key asset at the wide receiver position would certainly help the Lions in the month of November and December.

The Lions have already lost Ryan Broyles to a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee. He suffered the injury after signaling for a fair catch on a punt last Sunday. He will have surgery today which will cause him to miss the rest of the year.

Nate Burelson is expected to come back to the team after the bye week, after breaking arm from a car crash. Kris Durham will take over the No. 3 position.

Detroit has $1.7 million available in cap space, so adding a player with a heavy contract could be an issue. Available wide receivers during the deadline will be Hakeem Hicks (New York Giants), Josh Gordon (Cleveland Browns) and Emmanuel Sanders (Pittsburgh Steelers).

Leshoure has only been active for two games this year, and only has ran for nine yards from two carries. the second year veteran has reported that he’s welcome to a trade, if it means more paying time.

Lions’ head coach Jim Schwartz did not say how active GM Martin Mayhew is in regards to trade talks.

“Our personnel department is always looking for ways to improve our team, and I don’t think today or tomorrow will be any different,” Schwartz said. “But it won’t end then. Those guys always are constantly evaluating waiver wires …. potential free agents, guys on the street that could help. We’ve had a couple big pickups since training camp began so I wouldn’t anticipate it being any different.”