The Detroit Lions have made two defensive additions from the practice squad for their Divisional Round game against the Washington Commanders.
The Detroit Lions announced on Saturday afternoon two practice squad elevations for their Divisional Round playoff game against the Washington Commanders. Both defensive tackle Chris Smith and cornerback Stantley Thomas-Oliver are active from the practice squad and will revert back to the practice squad after the game.
In addition to these roster moves, the Lions announced that rookie cornerback Ennis Rakestraw has not yet been activated from injured reserve, and therefore, he has been downgraded to OUT for Saturday night. His practice evaluation window is still open, so a return next week is possible if the Lions are still alive in the playoffs.
Smith and Thomas-Oliver are both players who are getting the call-up as a result of Lions injury situations.
Smith helps a depleted interior defensive line. The Lions lost Kyle Peko and Alim McNeill to season-ending injuries this season, and reserve Pat O’Connor was also injured in the Lions’ regular season finale, and declared out for this game. That leaves Detroit with just DJ Reader, Levi Onwuzurike, Brodric Martin, and Myles Adams as the only healthy options who can kick inside. Smith, who was added after going undrafted in 2023, has made five game appearances for the Lions this year, tallying two tackles and a QB hit this season.
Thomas-Oliver helps Detroit’s extremely thin outside cornerback room right now. Detroit is currently without Rakestraw, Carlton Davis, Emmanuel Moseley, and Khalil Dorsey. That leaves just Terrion Arnold, Amik Robertson, and Kindle Vildor as Detroit’s three healthy cornerbacks. Thomas-Oliver was signed to the Lions’ practice squad in mid-December. A 2020 seventh-round pick by the Panthers, Thomas-Oliver has made 26 game appearances in his career, and participated in five special teams snaps for Detroit in the regular season finale.
