The Detroit Lions saw one of their practice squadder players poached on Tuesday, so they re-added another safety to the squad.
While the world continues to wonder if the Detroit Lions will make a notable move to bolster their defensive end room after the injury of Aidan Hutchinson a week ago, the team did make a few roster adjustments on Tuesday.
First, they lost linebacker Cam Gill, who was poached off their practice squad and signed to the Carolina Panthers ’ 53-man roster. Gill was only added to the Lions practice squad two weeks ago to help with the depth at SAM linebacker after the injury to Derrick Barnes. Gill never got the opportunity to play on game day.
Filing Gill’s spot on the practice squad is safety Erick Hallett, whom the Lions officially signed on Tuesday, as well. If that name sounds familiar, it’s because Detroit previously signed Hallett to the practice squad right after initial roster cuts. He stayed on the practice squad for a month before the Lions had to make room for… you guessed it… Cam Gill.
Hallett, a 2023 sixth-round pick by the Jacksonville Jaguars , has the range to play safety or nickel cornerback, but he has yet to make an appearance in an NFL game. He did stay on the Jaguars practice squad all last season (where he played for now-Lions defensive backs coach Deshea Townsend), signed a futures deal with the team, and went through all of training camp before failing to make the cut.
The addition of Hallett gives the Lions a quality amount of safety depth. In addition to Morice Norris (who was injured in training camp and is now healthy) joining Hallett on the practice squad, the Lions also have Brian Branch, Kerby Joseph, Brandon Joseph, and Loren Strickland on the 53-man roster. Furthermore, while Ifeatu Melifonwu is still on injured reserve, he is eligible to return to practice following this week’s game, if healthy.
The Lions also announced Tuesday that wide receiver Tre’Quan Smith has been released from injured reserve.
Detroit still has an open spot both on their 53-man roster and their practice squad.