The Detroit Lions made a ton of roster moves Saturday, including activating Ifeatu Melifonwu from injured reserve.
The Detroit Lions made a flurry of roster moves, but it’s highlighted by the activation of safety Ifeatu Melifonwu from injured reserve. Melifonwu is officiallly listed as questionable to play on Sunday against the Chicago Bears, but his activation is a good sign he’ll play for the first time this season. Melifonwu has been dealing with a groin and finger injury all season, but his return will give Detroit’s secondary a bump—especially considering they’ll be missing starting cornerback Carlton Davis for the rest of the season.
Here’s the rest of the transactions:
Waived from 53-man roster:
- WR Maurice Alexander
- S Brandon Joseph
The Lions will need a new punt returner this week, as the Lions opted to use Alexander’s roster spot to make a few additional roster moves. Joseph’s waiving is further confirmation Melifonwu will be active on Sunday.
Don’t be surprised if both players are back on the 53-man roster or the practice squad early next week, but both players are subject to the waiver wire first.
UPDATE: Sports Illustrated is reporting that Joseph was placed in police custody Saturday morning and subsequently released. There is no additional information as of this time.
Signed to 53-man roster:
- WR Tom Kennedy
- EDGE Mitchell Agude
- DT Chris Smith
Kennedy has been active for two games this season, and it looks like he’s headed for a third. He’s a strong candidate to be the team’s punt returner this week and can provide some more special teams assistance. Without Khalil Dorsey, Detroit is likely to see significant changes on special teams.
Agude helps Detroit’s beat-up defensive line that will be missing Aidan Hutchinson, Marcus Davenport, Derrick Barnes, and Alim McNeill for the rest of the regular season. Agude had a strong preseason, but has only been active for one game in his NFL career. An undrafted defender out of UCLA and Miami in 2023, Agude could be someone the Lions rely on down the stretch.
Smith, too, will provide some defensive line depth after the sudden loss of McNeill last week.
Temporary elevations from practice squad
- RB Jermar Jefferson
- S Loren Strickland
The Lions talked up Jefferson quite a bit this week, so don’t be surprised if he is RB3 for the team this week, behind Jahmyr Gibbs and Craig Reynolds. Jefferson also showed a ton of improvement on special teams this offseason, although he has yet to play in a regular season game this season.
“He’s really deserving of a chance here this week to show what he’s made out of,” offensive coordinator Ben Johnson said of Jefferosn. “He’s almost like a silent assassin, he goes about his business, he’s coming in, he’s working, don’t even hear a peep from him in the unit meetings, but you know when you’re watching him on scout team and how he’s going about his job, he’s taking it very seriously, he’s very professional and I’m looking forward to him getting a chance this week.”
Strickland was previously on the 53-man roster and has played on 71 special teams snaps this season. That’s likely the reason he got the call up over Brandon Joseph. Strickland could very well be the team’s gunner this week, taking up Dorsey’s spot on the roster.
The Lions came into Sunday with two open spots on the roster, but with the two waivings, three signings from the practice squad and one activation from injured reserve, there are no longer any open spots on the 53-man roster.
Also of note, the Lions did not place running back David Montgomery on injured reserve.
Detroit also waived DT David Bada from the team with an injury settlement.
