Lions coach Dan Campbell explained Friday why he likes keeping an open spot on the 53-man roster right now.
Ever since the Detroit Lions placed Ifeatu Melifonwu on injured reserve on September 28, the team has had an open spot on their 53-man roster. And based on what coach Dan Campbell said on Friday, it may stay that way for another week.
“It gives us options. I don’t want to say that we’ll necessarily use that or we’re in a hurry to fill that,” Campbell said. “It really has just kind of given us a bit of flexibility right now. It does give us options, but I wouldn’t say we’re necessarily in a hurry to fill that with maybe one of those guys or somebody else right now.”
While that may seem strange, there is a point to be made there. With the Lions having a full 16-man practice squad, they can pick and choose which players to elevate for each particular matchup. After the game is over, they revert right back to the practice squad without subjecting them to the waiver wire. There is a limit on the number of times the Lions can do that, with each player’s practice squad elevations capped at three per season.
However, if the Lions were to sign one of those players to the 53-man roster, they would have to commit to that player for the long term. They could only go back to the practice squad after cutting them, meaning they could be claimed on waivers or signed by another team.
With Detroit ailing at the edge position following the long-term injuries to Derrick Barnes and Marcus Davenport, the Lions signed Al-Quadin Muhammad and Cam Gill to the practice squad. I asked Campbell if Detroit’s need at edge defender could mean players who have been with the Lions longer—particularly Isaac Ukwu or Mitchell Agude—could get the call-up for either that final roster spot or a practice squad elevation.
“I think both of them (have progressed) very nicely, I think both of those guys because they’ve been here the longest,” Campbell said. “Talk about these D-ends, edge guys, and both of those guys have done a really good job for us and honestly, I would have no problem playing either one of those guys if we need them.”
If the Lions do make any roster moves or practice squad elevations, expect to hear those moves on Saturday around 4 p.m. ET.
