The Detroit Lions made a few roster moves on Wednesday, signing Kyle Peko to the active roster and adding two players to the practice squad.
On Wednesday, the Detroit Lions announced changes to their active roster, signing veteran nose tackle Kyle Peko while adding defensive tackle Chris Smith—who was released from the active roster on Monday—to the practice squad. The team also confirmed the previously reported signing of kicker Greg Joseph to the practice squad.
Peko’s promotion from the practice squad comes as no surprise. After spending most of training camp as the Lions’ starting nose tackle—as DJ Reader remained on the PUP list—Peko was elevated to the game-day roster in Week 1 and played on 47% of the Lions’ defensive snaps against the Rams.
While DJ Reader is expected to return to game action this week, the Lions like to take things slow when returning players from long-term injuries. If Reader plays as expected, he likely wouldn’t play a full complement of snaps, so Peko will be relied upon to supplement defensive snaps in Week 2 and possibly beyond.
Additionally, with Peko holding a veteran status in the NFL, if he was on the roster in Week 1, his contract would have been guaranteed for the entire season. However, because the Lions signed him in Week 2, his new deal operates as a traditional contract. The Lions likely elected for this option because second-year nose tackle Brodric Martin is eligible to return from injured reserve during the Lions’ bye in Week 5, which gives the Lions plenty of time to reassess their situation at a later date.
Smith—a player referenced by coach Dan Campbell as someone who consistently improves his game—makes his return to the practice squad and will now have three roster elevations available to the Lions if they elect for more depth in any game moving forward.
General manager Brad Holmes suggested the Lions would add a veteran kicker to the practice squad at some point during the season, and Joseph fills that role. The Lions practice squad was previously at their maximum number of veteran players allowed, but with Peko being promoted, he opened a spot on the practice squad to sign Joseph.
