Detroit Lions elevate 2 defenders, sign offensive skill player ahead of Cowboys game.
The Detroit Lions signed tight end Anthony Firkser to the 53-man roster and elevated defensive lineman Tyson Alualu and veteran defender Bruce Irvin for the game, making a few last-minute personnel changes ahead of their game against the Dallas Cowboys.
The Lions have done some roster shuffling of late, so here’s a quick overview of what has happened on the active roster over the last 48 hours:
- Waived CB Chase Lucas
- Waived LB Trevor Nowaske
- Activated and then waived FB Jason Cabinda
- Signed K Michael Badgley
- Signed TE Anthony Firkser
- Elevated EDGE Bruce Irvin for Week 17
- Elevated DL Tyson Alualu for Week 17
Some of these roster transactions may look a bit unusual on their own but there is logic behind each decision, so let’s break it down.
The Lions likely wanted to get veterans Irvin and Alualu onto this week’s roster, but with only two elevation spots allowed each week, they needed a third spot for Badgley. Because Badgley had already been elevated twice this season—leaving him with one elevation and two games remaining—it was only a matter of time before they needed to sign him to the active roster, so they pulled the trigger.
With tight end Brock Wright injured, and the Lions offense typically operating with three tight ends every week, they also needed to find a way to get Firkser onto the roster for this week’s game.
They could have easily promoted Firkser to the active roster and added Irvin or Alualu instead, but with C.J. Gardner-Johnson, James Houston, and Alim McNeill, three defenders who could return from injured reserve as soon as next week, the player added to the active roster this week is in a precarious position and could be cut to make room.
Furthermore, it seems quite probable that they think Firkser would clear waivers more easily than the veterans—a need for all released players now that the trade deadline has past. This is evident when comparing Firkser, Irvin, and Alulau.
One additional note on elevations. This is Irvin’s third and final roster elevation of the season, and while that will mean he is ineligible to be elevated in the regular season finale, when the Lions enter the postseason, he will become eligible again.
So why did the Lions make their initial cuts on Thursday? Likely for two reasons.
First, they were in a position to activate Jason Cabina from injured reserve, and while they did release him, that was again to make room for Firkser and likely in preparation for the returning defenders. It’s possible that Cabinda returns to the Lions practice squad, in which case he would be eligible for game-day elevations.
Second, instead of having to wait until after the weekend (like Cabinda), Lucas and Nowaske were able to clear waivers this week after being released on Thursday. Although it worked with Lucas (who re-signed to the Lions practice squad), it was a calculated gamble to try to sneak them through early. However, Nowaske was claimed by the Arizona Cardinals.
The Lions may be returning three players and getting ready for the postseason next week, so while the roster tricks are over for this week, we may be in for a whole new set of tricks.
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