On Tuesday, the Detroit Lions announced two roster moves, both creating a vacant spot on the team’s 53-man roster.
As expected, rookie linebacker Jimmy Rolder was placed on injured reserve after suffering what coach Dan Campbell called a season-ending injury. It was officially announced as a hamstring injury, and Campbell said surgery could be an option for the former Wolverine.
“Jimmy Rolder is going to require surgery, or he could. The point is this is a significant injury. He’ll be out for the season,”
Campbell said on Monday.
It’s a tough break for Rolder. He missed much of training camp with a hamstring injury, and Sunday was his first significant action on defense all year. In just 17 snaps, Rolder recorded five tackles, a sack, and another tackle for loss. Combined with the indefinite loss of Jack Campbell, the Lions are a bit shorthanded at linebacker.
The other move the Lions made was waiving rookie safety Bishop Fitzgerald. Undrafted in 2026, Fitzgerald was signed off the Steelers’ practice squad when the Lions were particularly vulnerable at the safety position. But with Brian Branch returning recently—although in concussion protocol this week—and with Kerby Joseph returning soon, Fitzgerald may have just been the odd man out. It’s worth noting that last week, Campbell indicated that Thomas Harper was nearing a return from injury, as well.
With those two moves, the Lions now have two vacancies on the 53-man roster. One of those spots is expected to be taken by linebacker K.J Britt. On Monday, a report dropped that the Lions were signing the veteran special teamer off the Patriots’ practice squad, and Campbell confirmed it on his radio appearance on Tuesday.
At this point, it isn’t clear what the Lions plan to do with the other open roster spot.
