Lions Sign TE, Elevate Tyson Alualu, Bruce Irvin against Cowboys

Lions elevate Tyson Alualu from practice squad.

The Detroit Lions announced a plethora of roster moves Saturday, prior to their primetime showdown against the Dallas Cowboys.

Detroit is elevating defensive tackle Tyson Alualu and outside linebacker Bruce Irvin from the practice squad. 

Also, tight end Anthony Firkser has been signed to the active roster, while cornerback Chase Lucas has returned, after clearing waivers, to the practice squad. 

It will be Alualu’s Lions debut. Irvin will be playing his third game, which is the limit for players on the practice squad. Irvin, 36 years old, has recorded one sack and four pressures while playing 24 total snaps. 

With Irvin reaching his limit on elevations, the Lions will have to decide whether or not to add him to the active roster.

Detroit was in a similar predicament earlier this season with defensive tackle Quinton Bohanna, who was ultimately signed by the Tennessee Titans off the Lions' practice squad. 

Alualu, meanwhile, will be making his 2023 season debut. It marks the start of his 14th NFL season. In his career, Alualu has recorded 25 sacks and 46 tackles for loss.

His presence helps add depth to a defensive line that remains without Alim McNeill, who is on injured reserve. However, McNeill is eligible to return next week, and traveled with the team to Dallas for Saturday's game. 

Firkser gives the team another option at tight end, with Brock Wright sidelined for the second consecutive game. The Lions have leaned on Sam LaPorta at this position, while James Mitchell has yet to record a catch in 13 games this season. 

Saturday's game offers an opportunity for the Lions to see where they stack up against one of the best teams in the NFC. It will also be a return home for coach Dan Campbell, who grew up in Texas and spent three years as a player with the Cowboys. 

After receiving public praise from Cowboys owner Jerry Jones earlier in the week, Campbell returned the favor by speaking highly of his experiences with the owner.

"Look, he's always around, now. He's at every practice, meetings, he was there 24/7," Campbell said. "So obviously, very invested. He wants to win as bad as anybody does. He knew everything about the players, he knew everything about what you were, going into that week, the schemes. But, I'm not going to give you one story. He's an owner that cares, I can tell you that."