The Detroit Lions have signed 15 of a possible 16 players to their initial practice squad.
Teams can use up to six practice squad spots on players with unlimited experience in the NFL. The remaining 10 spots are filled with players having less than two accrued seasons.
Teams can also protect up to four players per week that other teams cannot sign to their active roster. The 12 players who are not protected will be eligible to sign with another team's active roster during the week and have to be on the active roster for at least three weeks.
Rules also allow teams to promote two players from the practice squad per week without the need to create a roster spot – essentially creating a temporary 55-man roster. Those players are eligible to play in that week's game, and they revert back to the practice squad at the end of the week without having to pass through waivers.
Here's a closer look at Detroit's initial practice squad signings:
LB Mitchell Agude
Agude spent most of the 2023 season with the Lions' practice squad and was running with the first-team defense some to start training camp when Marcus Davenport was sidelined with an injury. Agude flashed potential throughout the preseason, tying for the team lead in tackles (12) and coming in second in tackles for loss (2).
OL Kingsley Eguakun
The Lions really like his potential, but he was caught up in a numbers game for inclusion on the 53-man roster with more veteran options ahead of him along the interior of the offensive line. He can play center and started working in at guard at the end of training camp. The Lions see potential there they want to continue to work with.
QB Jake Fromm
Head coach Dan Campbell said he was really impressed with the way Fromm played in the preseason finale vs. Pittsburgh, completing 6-of-8 passes for 89 yards with a 110.9 passer rating after being in camp less than two weeks. He's started games and brings some experience to the position on the practice squad.
RB Jermar Jefferson
Jefferson had a really nice training camp, but the Lions are just so deep and talented at running back right now. Asked about Jefferson during camp, Campbell said he was in a really good spot and that showed. He had two touchdown runs in the final preseason game vs. Pittsburgh and has a career rushing average of 4.9 yards per carry with a couple touchdowns in the regular season.
T Jamarco Jones
Jones was also caught up in a numbers game for inclusion on the 53-man roster with the Lions going heavy at tackle. Jones started seven games for Seattle over three seasons so it's nice to have that kind of experience on the practice squad.
WR Tom Kennedy
Kennedy is a veteran receiver who has played in 20 career games with 25 receptions for 195 yards. He's an insurance policy for the slot position and can also jump in and be a core special teamer.
TE James Mitchell
It was really a close competition all throughout camp for the third tight end spot behind Sam LaPorta and Brock Wright. Parker Hesse's versatility ended up earning him the roster spot. Mitchell, a former fifth-round pick by the Lions in 2022, has shown an ability to make plays. He's a nice veteran to have on the practice squad for insurance at the position.
S C.J. Moore
The Lions opted to keep a couple young safeties in Brandon Joseph and Loren Strickland on the initial roster but find a spot for the veteran Moore on the practice squad. He's a terrific special teamer with 56 career games under his belt.
DL Pat O'Connor
O'Connor brings a ton of experience to the practice squad and Detroit's defensive line room. Over the last six seasons, he's played in 68 career games for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He's got the ability to play on the edge and inside.
WR Tim Patrick
Patrick, 28, missed the last two seasons after tearing his ACL in August 2022 and his Achilles in July 2023. Despite those injuries, he's worked his way back and caught five passes including a touchdown in the preseason. Patrick (6-4, 212) caught 53 passes for 734 yards and five touchdowns for the Broncos in his last full season in 2021.
DL Kyle Peko
Peko was probably a tough decision when it came to the final roster trim-down. He was getting first-team reps early in training camp. He's played in 42 career games and gives the Lions an experienced interior option on the practice squad if needed.
WR Allen Robinson
This 10-year veteran gives the Lions some size (6-2) and experience at receiver and could compete with Patrick to be a Week 1 addition to the roster. Robinson has 562 career receptions for 7,028 yards and 43 touchdowns. He had back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons in 2019-20 playing for Chicago.
DL Chris Smith
Smith is a young, developing player the coaching staff likes and who flashed some in the preseason. He's got a nice first step to go along with his 305-pound frame.
DL Isaac Ukwu
Ukwu had a terrific preseason for the Lions, recording a sack in each of their three preseason games. The undrafted rookie out of Ole Miss has great length and a terrific motor. He's someone the Lions want to continue to work with and develop.
TE Shane Zylstra
The Lions were so experienced at the tight end position in camp there was bound to be some tough decisions there. It's a big reason why both Mitchell and Zylstra made the practice squad. Zylstra had four touchdowns playing in 13 games for the Lions in 2022.
