ORCHARD PARK, NY – When the Detroit Lions cut Levi Onwuzurike 48 hours before their season opener, the expectation was he'd return to the 53-man roster eventually.
On Thursday, Sept. 17, that move became reality.
The Lions signed Onwuzurike from their practice squad to their 53-man roster, one of three moves ahead of their Thursday night showdown with the Buffalo Bills. They also elevated center Seth McLaughlin and tackle Devin Cochran from the practice squad to the gameday roster to help their ailing offensive line.
Onwuzurike re-signed to the Lions practice squad Saturday, Sept. 12, the day after he was cut, but did not play in the team's 31-30 overtime win over the New Orleans Saints.
Lions coach Dan Campbell declined to explain the move in any
detail this week. Teams sometimes cut players before Week 1 to avoid having to pay out their contracts in the event they’re released later in the year. Vested veterans are eligible to collect their full base salaries in termination pay if they’re on a team’s 53-man roster to start the regular season.
“Well, he’s back and we're glad he's here and we communicated all of that with him," Campbell said. "And so, he's here. That's the best I can tell you right now.”
McLaughlin and Cochran should play backup roles tonight for a line that will be without starting left guard Christian Mahogany and right tackle Blake Miller because of injuries. Mahogany injured his hip on the Lions' second offensive drive against the Saints, while Miller is dealing with a knee injury.
Ben Bartch and Larry Borom are expected to start at left guard and right tackle, respectively.
Dave Birkett covers the Lions for the Detroit Free Press. Contact him at dbirkett@freepress.com. Follow him on Bluesky, X and Instagram at @davebirkett.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Lions add Levi Onwuzurike to 53-man roster, elevate 2 from practice squad
