Ahead of the Detroit Lions’ game against the Kansas City Chiefs, the team made six roster moves—and two roster elevations—in the wake of injuries. Here’s a full list of the moves:
Clearing spots on the 53-man roster
- OT Giovanni Manu to injured reserve
- Waived OL Kingsley Eguakun
- Waived DL Chris Smith
Signed to the 53-man roster:
- DL Quinton Jefferson
- CB Nick Whiteside
- S Erick Hallett
Temporary elevations from the practice squad
- OL Devin Cochran
- CB Arthur Mallett
The big news here is that Manu is headed to IR, where he’ll miss at least four games. The Lions’ second-year tackle just had his first start of his NFL career as a replacement for Taylor Decker last week. However, Manu appeared on the injury report in the middle of practice week, and it appears the knee injury is significant enough to sideline him for at least a month.
The elevation of Cochran comes as zero surprise. Earlier on Saturday, the Lions ruled Decker (shoulder) out for Sunday’s game, leaving the Lions with only Penei Sewell and Dan Skipper as the healthy tackles on the roster. Cochran, who signed to the Lions’ practice squad about a month ago, has had one career start since entering the league in 2022. Skipper is now expected to start at left tackle with Cochran serving as the primary backup.
The other slew of roster moves in the secondary comes as a result of a ton of injuries to Detroit’s defensive backs. On Sunday, the Lions will be without:
- CB D.J. Reed (IR, hamstring)
- CB Terrion Arnold (shoulder)
- CB Khalil Dorsey (IR, wrist)
- DB Avonte Maddox (hamstring)
In addition to that, both starting safeties—Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph—are listed as questionable and considered game-time decisions. Hallett will provide some depth at that position while we await the availability of Branch and Joseph this week.
At cornerback, Maulet was signed to the Lions’ practice squad just this week, but he has plenty of NFL playing experience. Since entering the league in 2017, he has played in 85 games and started 23. He has the ability to play the nickel, and may even start there vs. the Chiefs, seeing as Amik Robertson is expected to start on the outside and Maddox was the primary nickel backup. Whiteside spent training camp with Detroit before rejoining the team a week ago on the practice squad. Now, he’s expected to be one of the primary backups (behind Robertson and Rock Ya-Sin) on the outside until Reed and Arnold come back.
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