According to NFL insider Aaron Wilson, the Detroit Lions are activating Brodric Martin to the active roster
The Detroit Lions continue to make adjustments to their roster, and according to a report from NFL insider Aaron Wilson, they have elected to remove defensive tackle Brodric Martin from injured reserve and add him to the 53-man roster. He will take the open spot created after placing Ifeatu Melifonwu on injured reserve on Tuesday.
Martin was drafted by the Lions in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft but spent most of his rookie season developing and was only active for three games. Entering 2024, he was in competition with Kyle Peko for backup nose tackle duties behind starter DJ Reader. Unfortunately, Martin injured his knee in the preseason finale and was placed on injured reserve at cutdowns.
With Peko landing on injured reserve a few weeks into the season, the Lions have since turned to defensive end Pat O’Connor to back up the nose tackle spot, but at 6-foot-4, 270 pounds, he is better suited as a rotational player who can move along the defensive line. With Martin (6-foot-5, 330 pounds) returning to the roster, he is a more natural fit for the reserve nose tackle position and can give the Lions some extra bulk in the middle of their defensive line.
Martin will be the second player the Lions have returned from injured reserve, as they also returned Melifonwu on Monday as a precursor to placing him back on injured reserve on Tuesday. That leaves six spots available for players like Emmanuel Moseley (who is currently in an injury evaluation window of his own), Jalen Reeves-Maybin, Alex Anzalone, and potentially Melifonwu again. Players like Aidan Hutchinson, Derrick Barnes, and John Cominsky remain potential late-season/postseason options for return, but none are a sure thing at this stage of their rehabilitation.
