Lions Sign TE and Elevate Two Rookies

admin | December 31, 2023 | Other Clubs | No Comments

Tyson Alualu is promoted from the practice squad by the Lions.

Prior to their primetime matchup against the Dallas Cowboys, the Detroit Lions revealed a slew of roster changes on Saturday.

From the practice squad, Detroit has promoted defensive tackle Tyson Alualu and outside linebacker Bruce Irvin.

Tight end Anthony Firkser has also been added to the active roster, while cornerback Chase Lucas has returned to the practice squad after clearing waivers.

Alualu will make his Lions debut. Irvin will play in his third game, which is the limit for practice squad members.Irvin, 36, has one sack and four pressures while playing 24 total snaps.

With Irvin having reached his limit of heights, the Lions must determine whether or not to activate him.

Detroit was in a similar situation earlier this season with defensive tackle Quinton Bohanna, who was eventually signed off the Lions’ practice squad by the Tennessee Titans.

Meanwhile, Alualu will make his season debut in 2023. It is the beginning of his 14th NFL season. Alualu has 25 sacks and 46 tackles for loss in his career.

His addition adds depth to a defensive line that is still missing Alim McNeill, who is on injured reserve. McNeill, on the other hand, is eligible to return next week and traveled with the team to Dallas for Saturday’s game.

With Brock Wright out for the second game in a row, Firkser provides the squad with another tight end option. At this position, the Lions have relied on Sam LaPorta, while James Mitchell has yet to catch a pass in 13 games this season.

The Lions will get a chance to evaluate how they stand up against one of the better teams in the NFC on Saturday. It will also be a homecoming for coach Dan Campbell, who grew up in Texas and played for the Cowboys for three years.

After getting public praise from Cowboys owner Jerry Jones earlier in the week, Campbell returned the favor by praising the owner.

“Look, he’s always there now. “He was at every practice, every meeting, he was there 24 hours a day,” Campbell recalled. “Obviously, you’re very invested.” He wants to win as much as everyone else. He understood everything about the players, everything about what you were heading into that week, everything about the schemes. But I’m not going to tell you just one story. I can assure you that he is a caring owner.”