ALLEN PARK, Mich. – If quarterback Drew Henson's long-shot bid with the Detroit Lions ends up as his last shot at professional sports, he's glad it's happening close to home.

The former Michigan star who turned down a chance at the Heisman Trophy for failed careers in pro baseball and football signed with Detroit last week after third-stringer Drew Stanton sprained his thumb.

He sits behind Jon Kitna and Dan Orlovsky on the depth chart and is just hoping to play in Thursday night's preseason finale at Buffalo.

“It's nice to come here where I've got some good memories and where I grew up,” said Henson, who was a three-sport star at nearby Brighton High School. “Now I've just got to find a way to help the team.”

If it doesn't happen, he says he won't regret leaving the Wolverines for the New York Yankees, only to have his can't-miss career as a third baseman stall in Triple-A. He figures he did his best trying to resurrect his football career with the Dallas Cowboys, who dumped him in 2006 after one career start.

Henson has just one major-league hit and one NFL touchdown pass to show for his career.

“You'd be lying if you say you don't ever look back at the different decisions you've made, but at each point in my life, I made the decision that I thought was right and that I was comfortable with,” he said. “I've had a great run and I've had a fun time.”

Henson, who failed auditions in Minnesota and Jacksonville after his release in Dallas, has a decent chance to play against the Bills. With Stanton sidelined and Kitna not expected to play more than a token amount, Henson and Orlovsky are all the Lions have.

“He might play. We'll have to see how much he can pick up in the next couple days,” Lions coach Rod Marinelli said Monday. “We're going to simplify the plays for him. If nothing else, he's going to have to be ready in case something happens to Dan.”

For his part, Orlovsky won't be looking for relief.

“I'd be stoked if they told me today that I was playing the whole game,” he said. “I don't see a preseason game as any kind of double-edged sword. I see it as a chance to play. It would be great for me to manage an entire game.”