On Wednesday, it was reported that reserve center Kingsley Eguakun was signing with the Cleveland Browns from the Detroit Lions’ practice squad.
It was a bit of a surprising development, because Eguakun had served as the team’s starting center over the past two weeks in relief of Graham Glasgow. After his game against the Pittsburgh Steelers—his first career start—Lions coach Dan Campbell came away quite impressed with his performance.
“I thought it was really encouraging, I really did. For his first game to go out there, I thought he competed, I thought he fought, I thought he played fast. It was very encouraging.”
Eguakun took a step back in the following game against the Vikings, where there were two failed snap exchanges and some struggles in the blocking. Still, it was surprising to see Eguakun gone, because oftentimes, to prevent a player from getting poached, teams will sign that player to their own 53-man roster. That was the expectation with Eguakun this week, anyway, considering he was out of gameday elevations.
It turns out the Lions wanted to do exactly that. Campbell noted in his Wednesday press conference that they were still encouraged by Eguakun’s growth, and when asked if he wanted them on their 53-man roster, the answer was yes.
The problem for Detroit is that it isn’t just up to them. When a player is attempting to get poached from the practice squad, they have the ultimate say in where they go, and according to Campbell, Eguakun liked the opportunity in Cleveland better.
“He liked the opportunity. So he felt like that was the right thing for him, and I wish him well,” Campbell said. “I love Kingsley, man. He’s a good dude, works his tail off, has here for a couple of years.”
Quite simply, the Browns offered something the Lions couldn’t: a starting job. And Campbell wasn’t prepared to lie to Eguakun.
“We’re not going to lie to anybody. I can’t guarantee a starting spot. We’re not going to do that. I can’t guarantee that. They guaranteed that, so it’s all good. It’s good for him.”
As for this week, it certainly sounds like the Lions are prepared to go back to Glasgow, who had been dealing with a knee injury.
“Graham is feeling a lot better,” Campbell said.
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