On Monday evening, the Detroit Lions made a curious roster move; they released veteran Kendall Fuller from their practice squad.
In the midst of a handful of cornerback injuries, Fuller—who has started 104 games over nine seasons—was signed just two weeks ago. The hope was to provide some stability to a cornerback room that was missing D.J. Reed, Terrion Arnold, Ennis Rakestraw, Khalil Dorsey, and Avonte Maddox. However, when game day came against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Lions didn’t call Fuller’s
number. Instead, they relied upon players who had been there a little longer, including Amik Robertson, Rock Ya-Sin, Nick Whiteside, and Arthur Maulet.
So what exactly does this move mean for the Lions? Well, they clearly intend to add another player to the practice squad. It’s unclear who that player may be, but it’s worth pointing out that 2025 draft pick Ahmed Hassanein has made some strides from his pectoral injury.
What’s more peculiar about this roster move is that the Lions’ cornerback situation is not really all that improved from where it was two weeks ago. While Arnold will have a shot to play this week, Detroit is still at least one week away from Reed returning to practice, as he remains on injured reserve with a hamstring injury. Not much is known about when Maddox—who has missed two games with a hamstring injury—will return. Although maybe the Lions are just comfortable with Robertson, Ya-Sin, Whiteside, and Maulet after their strong showings against the Buccaneers in Week 7.
We should have some more clarity on the Lions’ roster decisions when the team takes the field for their first practice of the week on Tuesday.
