The Detroit Lions have declared their inactives ahead of their Week 9 game against the Green Bay Packers
The Detroit Lions have declared their inactives ahead of the Week 9 matchup with the Green Bay Packers.
The Lions have four players injured this week and needed to dip into their practice squad for reinforcements. With two spots open on the 53-man roster—due to Jameson Williams’ suspension and Parker Hesse being released—the Lions opted to sign defensive tackle Chris Smith and linebacker Abraham Beauplan, then elevate EDGE Al-Quadin Muhammad and tight end Shane Zylstra to the game-day roster.
If you’re wondering why the Lions selected which players to sign and which to elevate, the answer surrounds the NFL’s waiver system. With Williams eligible to return from suspension on Monday, and the Lions being in the trade market, Detroit could find themselves in need of an extra roster spot or two in the next few days. Therefore, they likely tabbed Smith and Beauplan to sign, because if they are released in the coming days, they are the most likely of the four to clear waivers. Because Muhammad and Zylstra were elevated, they are not subjected to waivers and will automatically rejoin the Lions practice squad following the conclusion of the game.
For this week’s game, because the Lions have eight offensive linemen active for Sunday’s game, they are eligible to expand their game-day roster from 47 to 48 players. Therefore, with 55 players on the game-day roster and 48 eligible to play, the Lions need to declare just seven players inactive for today’s matchup.
Lions inactives:
- RB Sione Vaki — knee, doubtful on Friday, downgraded to OUT Saturday
- OG Christian Mahogany — removed from NFI, added to the active roster this week
- RT Colby Sorsdal
- LT Giovanni Manu
- DL Mekhi Wingo — angle, doubtful on Friday, downgraded to OUT Saturday
- EDGE Josh Paschal — illness, ruled OUT
- LB Malcolm Rodriguez — ankle, ruled OUT
Packers inactives:
- FS Evan Williams (hamstring) — Ruled OUT Friday
- C Josh Myers (wrist)
- CB Jaire Alexander (knee)
- WR Malik Heath
- OL Travis Glover
- DE Brenton Cox Jr.
