The Detroit Lions have signed 15 of a possible 16 players to their initial practice squad.
Teams can use up to six practice squad spots on players with unlimited experience in the NFL. The remaining 10 spots are filled with players having less than two accrued seasons.
Teams can also protect up to four players per week that other teams cannot sign to their active roster. The 12 players who are not protected will be eligible to sign with another team's active roster during the week and must be on the active roster for at least three weeks.
Rules also allow teams to promote two players from the practice squad per week without the need to create a roster spot – essentially creating a temporary 55-man roster. Those players are eligible to play in that week's game and they revert back to the practice squad at the end of the week without having to pass through waivers. Each player can be elevated three times per season.
It's worth noting the Lions promoted a player from their practice squad to their active roster more than a dozen times last season. Lions head coach Dan Campbell has talked multiple times about the value of the practice squad and needing all 69 players on the active roster and practice squad to get through a 17-game NFL season.
Here is a closer look at Detroit's initial practice squad signings:
DL Myles Adams
Adams ran into a numbers game along the interior of Detroit's defensive front, but head coach Dan Campbell complimented him multiple times in camp for his play. He's played in 30 career regular season games over the last four seasons in Seattle and Detroit.
WR Ronnie Bell
Bell played in 26 games for the 49ers the last two seasons and has some special teams ability as well. The former Michigan Wolverine had three touchdown catches for the 49ers in 2023.
OL Trystan Colon
Colon is a five-year veteran with 51 games and 15 starts under his belt with Baltimore and Arizona. He gives the Lions an experienced veteran with the ability to play both guard and center on the practice squad.
DL Keith Cooper
Cooper was a really nice story in camp going from tryout player to getting first-team reps. He gives the Lions some versatility along their defensive line on the practice squad with his ability to play inside and outside.
DB Erick Hallett
Hallett had a strong preseason and training camp and was probably in the discussion for a roster spot. He can play safety, nickel, and outside cornerback, and that versatility could be an asset for him on the practice squad.
TE Zach Horton
The rookie out of Indiana caught a couple passes in the preseason and showed some potential as a blocker in the run game. The Lions want to continue developing his skillset.
WR Tom Kennedy
The crafty veteran has played in 24 games for the Lions dating back to 2019 between stints on the practice squad. If the Lions run into an injury issue at wide receiver, they'd have no hesitation moving Kennedy into the lineup.
Meeks looks to have a lot of promise after leading the Lions in receiving in the preseason with 11 receptions for 176 yards and two touchdowns. He's got a good frame at 6-foot-2, 214 pounds with a lot of upside to his game.
OL Mason Miller
The big tackle out of North Dakota State did some good things in camp and the Lions want to continue to develop him as tackle depth.
OL Michael Niese
Niese is a veteran with 18 games of regular season experience for the Lions the last two seasons. He's got ability to play all three spots inside along Detroit's offensive line which makes him a great asset on the practice squad.
LB Anthony Pittman
The four-year veteran has logged more than 50 NFL games and gives Detroit a terrific veteran presence with the ability to play defense and special teams, where he's established himself over the years as one of the better special teamers in the league.
RB Jacob Saylors
Saylors runs hard. Head coach Dan Campbell said after Detroit's final preseason game he likes Saylors' skillset. Saylors led the Lions with 112 rushing yards (3.4 avg.) in the preseason.
S Loren Strickland
Strickland played well in Detroit's preseason finale vs. Houston with nine tackles and a tackle for loss. He made the roster out of training camp last year and played in seven games but begins this season on the practice squad.
OL Dan Skipper
Skipper has become a fan favorite in Detroit for his grit and likability. He played the swing tackle role for the Lions last year with spot starting duty. He's another experienced veteran the Lions know can step in and play if called upon.
EDGE Isaac Ukwu
Ukwu had a solid camp and gives the Lions another experienced pass rusher on their practice squad. He was elevated from the practice squad for a couple games last season for the Lions and made one start Week 7 in Minnesota.
