Detroit Lions Elevate Safety Jalen Mills for Week 4 Sunday Night Game Against Carolina Panthers
The Detroit Lions elevated safety Jalen Mills from the practice squad for their Sunday night game against the Carolina Panthers in Week 4. This marks the second week Mills has been called up as the team manages multiple injuries in its secondary.
Brian Branch Return Imminent as Secondary Battles Injuries
Safety Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph remain on the physically unable to perform list, while Avonte Maddox and Thomas Harper landed on injured reserve during the previous week. Lions coach Dan Campbell addressed Branch’s recovery status earlier in the week. “He’s close. Yep, he’s close,” Campbell said. “He’s ready to go. [I’m] tired of listening to him. So, I mean that in a good way. Man, he’s put in a ton of work, and he looks really good. He’s close.” Mills joins starters Chuck Clark and Christian Izien, who contributed in the previous week’s matchup against the New York Jets. Mills brings 122 career games and 92 starts of experience to a Detroit defense that has experienced struggles through the first three weeks of the season.
Offensive Roster Adjustments Ahead of New Orleans Saints Game
In related roster management, the Detroit Lions waived center Seth McLaughlin and running back Jabari Small prior to their matchup against the New Orleans Saints. General manager Brad Holmes explained that Small became the victim of a numbers game as the team looked to potentially add a receiver, noting the roster carried only four wideouts on the initial 53-man roster. Both players dealt with ailments during the final week of the preseason, which the team avoided complicating with injury settlements by making the moves.
Evaluating the Offensive Line Depth and Competition
Holmes expressed confidence in the offensive line unit during a session with local reporters, highlighting the development of young players. “We’re really excited about that group. Obviously, we’ve got a lot younger and a lot of guys had a lot of opportunities to grow that we were already excited for,” Holmes stated. He noted that Blake Miller has progressed daily, while Christian Mahogany has demonstrated starter-level ability. Holmes also pointed to Ben Bartch earning his spot after performing well when available, and discussed Miles Frazier showing versatility at guard and tackle during his first full offseason and training camp.
Frequently Asked Questions About Lions Roster Moves
Who did the Detroit Lions elevate for the Week 4 game against the Carolina Panthers?
The Lions elevated safety Jalen Mills from the practice squad for the second week to address depth issues in the secondary.
Which safeties remain unavailable for the Detroit Lions?
Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph remain on the physically unable to perform list, while Avonte Maddox and Thomas Harper are on injured reserve.
Which offensive players were waived by Detroit ahead of the Saints game?
The Lions waived center Seth McLaughlin and running back Jabari Small.
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