Detroit Lions, Arizona Cardinals have 6 player connections

The Arizona Cardinals will face the Detroit Lions on Sunday in Week 5. Both teams have players who sued to play for the other team. Several Cardinals used to be Lions, and some Lions used to be Cardinals. Who are the familiar faces and player connections? Cardinals DL Roy Lopez Lopez signed with the

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What is the story about?

The Arizona Cardinals will face the Detroit Lions on Sunday in Week 5. Both teams have players who sued to play for the other team.

Several Cardinals used to be Lions, and some Lions used to be Cardinals.

Who are the familiar faces and player connections?

Cardinals DL Roy Lopez

Lopez signed with the Cardinals this offseason, rejoining the Cardinals after playing for the Lions in 2025. He played in every game last season and had 30 tackles and two sacks.

He played for the Cardinals in 2023-2024 before that.

Cardinals RB Bam Knight

Knight is in his second season with the Cardinals, but he played a little for the Lions in 2023. He appeared in two games, rushing for 13 yards and catching a pass for eight yards. He also spent time on their practice squad an on injured reserve.

Cardinals CB Star Thomas

Thomas went undrafted

out of UAB in 2023 and signed with the Lions originally. He was with them in the offseason and preseason but did not make the final roster, and the Cardinals claimed him off waivers. He has been with the Cardinals ever since.

Lions QB Joshua Dobbs

Dobbs is the Lions' backup quarterback. He was a late addition because Teddy Bridgewater, originally the backup, retired from the NFL.

Dobbs played half a season for the Cardinals in 2023. They traded for him before the season, he went 1-7 as their starting quarterback and then was traded to the Minnesota Vikings.

Lions LB Trevor Nowaske

Nowaske was an undrafted rookie in 2023 who made the Lions' roster. Late in the season he was waived, and the Cardinals claimed him. He did play in any games for the Cardinals at the end of 2023 but spent all the 2024 offseason with them before being released and then rejoining the Lions.

Lions DL Ben Stille

Stille is on the Lions' practice squad. He spent time with the Cardinals on their practice squad and active roster in 2023 and 2024. He played in eight games with 11 tackles and two sacks.

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