The Detroit Lions made a number of roster adjustments, simply over 24 hours, forward of their all-important Week 18 matchup with the Minnesota Vikings.
Along with activating LB Alex Anzalone and WR/RET Kalif Raymond from injured reserve, the Lions positioned CB Emmanuel Mosely on the reserve/non-football sickness checklist (NFI), signed DB Morice Norris to the energetic roster in a corresponding transfer, elevated DL Chris Smith and CB Stantley Thomas-Oliver from the follow squad for the Vikings recreation, and re-signed WR Tom Kennedy to the follow squad.
Emmanuel Moseley to NFI
Moseley missed all three practices with an sickness this week, was dominated out on Friday, and positioned on the NFI on Saturday. The “sickness” designation is a really broad class in NFL phrases, as now we have seen from rookie offensive lineman Christian Mahogany. Mahogany missed all of coaching camp and a giant chuck on the season whereas on the NFI, coping with mononucleosis (mono). Then, simply this week, he missed follow with an “sickness” designation, however that was extra intently associated to a typical 24-hour bug, and was again on the sector the subsequent day.
For Moseley, it’s unclear what his “sickness” is, however by being positioned on the NFI, he’s required to overlook at the very least 4 weeks, and his season is probably going near, if not over. It’s been a tricky street over the previous couple of seasons for Moseley, working his manner again from two ACL surgical procedures, in addition to another nagging accidents, and he was by no means in a position to get on the sector for quite a lot of snaps for the Lions. He’ll enter the offseason on an expiring contract.
Morice Norris signed
Norris will take Moseley’s spot on the roster, and whereas not a direct one-for-one alternative, there’s a number of crossover to their video games. Norris is a pure slot nook, who was cross-trained at security in coaching camp and figures to assist off the Lions’ depth within the slot (behind Brian Department) in addition to present particular groups reps. Whereas Moseley has outdoors nook expertise, he was repping completely within the slot in coaching camp and by no means noticed the sector on protection throughout the common season, so Norris must be very able to filling the vacated function—if not offering much more safety.
Chris Smith elevated
Smith spent three weeks on the roster earlier within the season and was elevated final week, making this elevation his fifth recreation of the season for the Lions. Smith has solely performed on 38 defensive snaps and registered simply two tackles on the season, however he’s a strong insurance coverage possibility on a skinny inside defensive position.
Stantley Thomas-Oliver elevated
Thomas-Oliver hasn’t performed a defensive snap within the NFL since 2021, however he has performed on particular groups, and figures to solely see the sector within the third section of the sport. That being stated, with solely three outdoors corners on the roster forward of him, he’ll should be able to contribute at a second’s discover.
No RB elevation is nice information for Craig Reynolds
Moreover, by not elevating a operating again for this recreation, it actually means excellent news for Craig Reynolds’ standing. Reynolds confirmed up on Friday’s damage report with a again damage, however with no added reinforcements, it doubtless means he must be able to play. If he isn’t, prepare for extra alternatives for rookie Sione Vaki behind starter Jahmyr Gibbs.
Tom Kennedy re-signed to follow squad
And final however not least, Kennedy returns to the follow squad after filling in for Raymond throughout his stint on injured reserve. Kennedy is a dependable veteran that the Lions are lucky to have the ability to flip to once they want him.
Abstract
LB Alex Anzalone faraway from IR, added to the 53-man roster
WR/RET Kalif Raymond faraway from IR, added to the 53-man roster
CB Emmanuel Mosely positioned on NFI
DB Morice Norris signed to energetic roster
DL Chris Smith elevated to recreation day roster
CB Stantley Thomas-Oliver elevated to recreation day roster
WR Tom Kennedy re-signed to the follow squad
