ALLEN PARK — The Detroit Lions have been busy poaching from practice squads around the NFL to try and fill some gaps on their banged-up defense.
They signed linebacker Kwon Alexander from the Denver Broncos and defensive lineman Jonah Williams from the Los Angeles Rams. Now, they have added defensive lineman Myles Adams from the Seattle Seahawks’ practice squad.
To make room for the new additions, the Lions have waived wide receiver and return specialist Maurice Alexander. They also placed linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez (knee) and rookie defensive lineman Mekhi Wingo (knee) on injured reserve.
Kwon Alexander is a former Pro Bowler who spent one season in New Orleans with Dan Campbell and Aaron Glenn. Rodriguez joins Lions linebackers Alex Anzalone, Derrick Barnes and Jalen Reeves-Maybin on the injured list, clearing a path for Alexander to see playing time much sooner rather than later.
Williams broke into the league as an undrafted free agent with the Rams in 2020 when Brad Holmes was still running their college scouting department. Wingo’s move to injured reserve, not to mention injuries to Josh Paschal (knee) and Levi Onwuzurike (hamstring), have opened the door for playing time, too.
Adams has spent the past four seasons with the Seahawks. He’s appeared in three games this season, playing all 12 of his snaps on special teams. Adams went undrafted out of Rice in 2020. But Adams has seen a fair amount of action since landing with the Seahawks after an initial stint with the Carolina Panthers.
Wingo, Paschal and Onwuzurike leave a ton of snaps on the table on the defensive line. Pat O’Connor is likely to see an increased role.
Brodric Martin can’t be ruled out after working back into practice and getting activated from injured reserve. Martin, the former third-round pick, has been out since suffering a knee injury in the preseason, with the team pledging not to rush him back to action.
On the bright side, Za’Darius Smith has been a great addition to the defensive edges. Alim McNeill and DJ Reader have also formed an enviable interior duo for the Lions.
Dan Campbell left furious in press conference as journalist reveals Lions player leaked plays
Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell cut a frustrated figure after being told by a journalist that one of his players had accidentally leaked an offensive play on social media.
Before their 23-20 victory over the Chicago Bears on Thanksgiving, Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs shared a photo on his Instagram story which showed teammate Jermar Jefferson stood in front of a whiteboard filled with specific plays.
Fans were quick to spot that the whiteboard was filled with specific offensive plays, though it is unclear whether Detroit actually uses any of them in-game or not.
Regardless, Gibbs, 22, risked exposing team secrets by posting the photo on Instagram – and Campbell was unaware of it up until a press conference on Saturday.
The Lions coach was told by a reporter in that press conference about his player’s actions, which appeared to leave him both stunned and furious in equal measure.
When told about Gibbs’ apparent leak on social media and asked if he needs to remind him to be smart about posting online, Campbell said: ‘Oh, I didn’t know that. I did not know that.
Gibbs shared this photo of teammate Jermar Jefferson with team secrets seen in the background
‘Ok, yeah, I need to check on that then. Did not know that.’
Before swiftly leaving the press conference, he added: ‘Yeah, I’d rather our stuff not be out there. Thanks.’
Gibbs is currently in his second season with the Lions after being selected with the 12th overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.
The former Alabama college star has been a crucial member of Campbell’s offense in 2024, recording a total of 973 rushing yards and 11 total touchdowns so far, both of which rank in the top five in the NFL.
He has helped Detroit flex its muscles as a major Super Bowl contender by winning 11 of their 12 regular-season fixtures, with the only slip-up coming against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 2.
Next up for the Lions is a huge showdown with the Green Bay Packers at Ford Field next Thursday.
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