The Detroit Lions have elevated LB Davis Long Jr. for their Week 12 game against the Indianapolis Colts.
The Detroit Lions announced they are elevating linebacker, David Long Jr., from the practice squad for their Week 12 game against the Indianapolis Colts.
With injuries to Alex Anzalone, Derrick Barnes, and Jalen Reeves-Maybin (all on injured reserve), the Lions have needed to shuffle around their linebacker group and have recently added more depth. This week, the Lions added Long to their practice squad, after he was surprisingly released from the Miami Dolphins.
Originally drafted in the sixth round of the 2019 NFL Draft by the Tennessee Titans, Long played mainly on special teams early in his career before developing into a starter and becoming a highly sought-after free agent. He would eventually sign with the Dolphins and was even named a captain this season, which is why many were caught off guard when he was released last week.
The Lions were quick to sign Long to their practice squad and they appear to have both short and long-term plans for him.
“Well, he’s played football, he’s played the linebacker position, he’s banked a lot of reps and played really good football,” Lions coach Dan Campbell said of Long. “He’s really one of those guys, got a knack for finding the ball, he’s an aggressive player, run-and-hit, and so, it gave us a chance to have somebody that, if we need it, and he can acclimate to what we do, how we do things here, get on top of the playbook, then if we can use him, we’ll use him. And, in the meantime, it’s special teams and it’s insurance (that are) really the role(s) right now. But we’re excited to have him here and just see what he can do, let him compete like everybody else.”
As Campbell noted, Long is likely filling a special teams role this Sunday, but he could also give the Lions depth at the WILL linebacker position, depending on how much of the playbook he has digested this week.
Malcolm Rodriguez is expected to step into the starting WILL position this week, but the only other option the Lions have at the position is Ezekiel Turner, who was just signed to the active roster last weekend. With Long also in the fold this week, he will give the Lions more insurance at this position.
With Anzalone expected to remain out for the regular season, Barnes unlikely to return this year, and Reeves-Maybin’s status still up in the air, Long will have a chance to prove he can take on a larger role in this defense and audition for a spot on the active roster.
