The Detroit Lions continue to churn the bottom of their roster in the wake of mounting injuries. On Monday, they made a handful of transactions. Most notably, they were awarded tight end Hayden Rucci from waivers after the Miami Dolphins waived him on Saturday. He takes the roster spot left vacant after the Lions placed Terrion Arnold on injured reserve due to season-ending shoulder surgery.
Rucci went undrafted in 2024, and has spent the last season-and-a-half on and off the Dolphins roster. He made his NFL debut earlier this season in late October and has since played in five games. He split his time between small roles on offense (39 total snaps) and special teams (42 snaps).
In college, Rucci was a two-year starter for the Wisconsin Badgers. While he wasn’t much of a receiving threat (17 catches, 200 yards, 1 TD over two seasons), he posted relatively good blocking grades in his senior season, per PFF, including a 64.4 mark in the passing game and a 66.3 grade in the rushing attack. Rucci is also the son of Todd Rucci, who played guard for eight seasons with the New England Patriots in the 90s.
The Lions are very shorthanded at tight end with Sam LaPorta likely out for the season after back surgery and backup Brock Wright currently dealing with a trachea injury that may be considered long-term. That could lead to Rucci getting some immediate playing time, although the Lions also did return veteran Shane Zylstra to practice this week after suffering a long-term ankle injury in Week 2.
The Lions also made some changes with their practice squad. Detroit added wide receiver Andrew Armstrong and cut veteran offensive lineman Netane Muti. Armstrong is in his rookie season after going undrafted and joining the Miami Dolphins before being cut at the start of the regular season. Notably, Armstrong was the teammate of Lions third-round pick Isaac TeSlaa at Arkansas. Last year, Armstrong led the team with 78 catches and 1,140 yards.
While Armstrong doesn’t quite have the athletic profile of TeSlaa, he’s far from unathletic. He stands at 6-foot-3, 202 pounds, and posted an 8.58 RAS.
Combined with some earlier moves this week, here’s a full recap of Detroit’s additions and subtractions:
Claimed from waivers (added to 53-man roster)
- TE Hayden Rucci
Placed on IR
- CB Terrion Arnold
Signed to practice squad
- RB Jabari Small
- TE Giovanni Rucci
- WR Andrew Armstrong
Cut from practice squad
- OL Netane Muti
- CB Tre Flowers
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