Practice Squad Roster News: Lions Release Two Players, Sign CB, TE

Detroit Lions announced a series of roster moves ahead of Buccaneers game.

The Detroit Lions announced several practice squad roster decisions Tuesday afternoon, ahead of their Week 6 contest with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Cornerback Darius Phillips and wideout Trey Quinn were released from the practice squad.

Veteran cornerback Anthony Averett and tight end Anthony Firkser were added in corresponding moves.

Averett has appeared in 51 games, with 27 career starts.

He has had stints with the Baltimore Ravens and Las Vegas Raiders. His most productive season came in 2021, when he made 14 starts and had three interceptions. 

Last season, he was limited to just seven games in his only campaign with the Las Vegas Raiders. 

Detroit's front office felt more experience was needed in the secondary, as Emmanuel Moseley is out for the season due to a torn ACL.

Head coach Dan Campbell discussed the team's ability to not suffer much of a drop off when players have been called upon to step up and play due to the increase in injuries the past couple of weeks.

Lions' Run Defense Off to Historic Start

"Listen, our guys have done a great job. The staff getting the next man up prepared and then our guys understand that. We tell them all the time, that you are one play away from not just walking into the game and, well, I can fill a void just by my name being called as, I’m starting this game," Campbell told 97.1 The Ticket this week. "But literally production, you’ve got to hold the line for us. You can’t just go out there, there can’t be a significant drop off. You’ve got to hold the line.

"Our guys have done that, they understand they’re the next man up. It goes with our practice squad, too. We tell them that all the time. Just because you’re on the practice squad or vet squad, you’re one play away from being called up and you’re gonna be depended on," Campbell continued. "You’re not just there to fill a gameday roster. I think they understand that. That’s something we’ve done here for three years, and we’re getting some really good production out of a lot of guys. There again, that’s a credit to Brad Holmes, and getting us the depth here when we need it.”