As devastating injuries to the Detroit Lions’ defense mount, Brad Holmes didn’t waste a moment in addressing the coverage gap. Within hours of the Lions’ Thanksgiving Day game victory over the Bears, Holmes was on the phone, signing a trio of veteran defenders off NFL practice squads.
Lions Sign A Trio Of Veteran Defenders As Injuries Mount
While everyone else was busy sleeping off their Thanksgiving feast or battling crowded malls, the Lions EVP and GM spent his Black Friday shopping NFL practice squads for experienced veteran talent. In the wake of the latest injuries suffered by Malcolm Rodriguez and Mehki Wingo , Holmes was busy shoring up the defense’s injury-depleted roster .
The record-breaking Lions now lead the league in another category. With a total of eighteen, they now have more players on injured reserve than any other team in the NFL. But with five tough games remaining on the regular schedule, Holmes needed veteran players who could learn the playbook quickly and hit the ground running.
Former Pro Bowl Player Kwon Alexander
The first player Holmes signed was former Pro Bowl linebacker Kwon Alexander . A veteran NFL journeyman, Alexander has been with several NFL teams over the past decade, including the New Orleans Saints, Pittsburgh Steelers , San Francisco 49ers, and the New York Jets . Appearing in three games with the Denver Broncos this season, Alexander recorded one solo tackle, eight assists, and a forced fumble.
The six-foot tall,l 227-pound ten-year veteran brings both speed and talent to the Lions. A former LSU standout, Alexander put NFL scouts on notice when he placed second in the 40-yard dash in the 2015 pre-draft combine. Selected by Tampa Bay in the fourth round with the 124th pick, Alexander became the starting outside linebacker. Named to the PFWA All-Rookie Team, he made the Pro Bowl two years later in 2017.
Alexander is already well-known to the coaches. Both Dan Campbell and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn were with the Saints coaching staff when he played for the team from 2020-2021. Their familiarity with him as a player could shorten the learning curve. Joining the Lions, Alexander is also reunited with Alex Anzalone , a former Saints teammate.
Although Alexander is a Pro Bowl-caliber player, he has an extensive history of injuries. College knee problems were followed by a season-ending ACL tear in 2018 with the Bucs. He suffered a pectoral injury with the 49ers, he injured his Achilles and his elbow while playing for the Saints, and his most recent injury was another torn Achilles with the Steelers last year. If Alexander can just stay healthy, he could become an impact player for the Lions.
Jonah Williams Has Size and Strength
Holmes’ next move was poaching Jonah Williams off the Los Angeles Rams practice squad. A 6’5″ 275 lb. defensive end with four years of experience, Williams brings size and strength to the Lions. He has a total of 48 career starts and 80 tackles with 2.5 sacks.
In 2021, Williams played in eight games and earned a Super Bowl ring that season when the Rams beat the Cincinnati Bengals. This season, Williams spent time with the Minnesota Vikings practice squad before reuniting with the Rams. He has appeared in a combined total of eight games this season.
Signed by the Rams as an undrafted free agent in April of 2020, he made the active roster the following year. Williams first came to the attention of Holmes when he was the Director of College Scouting for the Rams. Holmes has proven to be an uncanny judge of underrated talent, so it’s safe to say that with the Lions’ expert coaching, Williams could develop into a genuine talent.
Myles Adams – Newest Member of the Veteran Trio
The final member of the veteran trio and the latest addition to the Lions’ roster is Seahawks defensive lineman Myles Adams . Like Alexander and Williams, Holmes grabbed Adams off the practice squad. An undrafted free agent, he initially signed with the Carolina Panthers in 2020 but was released before the start of the season. Adams then signed with the Seahawks and has been with them throughout his four-year career.
At 6’2″ and 290 lbs. Adams doesn’t have quite the bulk of most members of the Lions’ defenders who tip the scale over 300 lbs. but look for Adams to add depth to the Lions’ interior line alongside D.J. Reader and Alim McNeil. Appearing in only three games this year for the Seahawks, Adams is excited to be on the 53-man roster and eager to make an impact in Detroit.
Scheduled to face the Packers, Bills, Bears, 49ers, and Vikings, the Lions have their work cut out for them. The Lions must stay ahead of the competition to lock up the number one seed. Making matters even tougher for the Lions, the Philadelphia Eagles and Minnesota Vikings are only one game behind. Hopefully, the infusion of veteran talent with the incentive of being a part of an organization that’s a genuine Super Bowl contender will provide a shot in the arm for the injury-depleted Lions.
Main Image: Tommy Gilligan – USA Today Sports
The post Lions Sign A Trio Of Veteran Defenders As Injuries Mount appeared first on Last Word on Pro Football .