Breaking news: Detroit Lions sign NFL Superstar DT Ahead of Rams Game
With the addition of two players who were promoted from the practice squad on Saturday, the Detroit Lions now have a 53-man roster.
Kyle Peko, a defensive end, and Tom Kennedy, a wide receiver, were promoted off the practice squad and are now available to play against the Los Angeles Rams, the Detroit Lions announced on Saturday afternoon.
The final roster space for Detroit has been filled by defensive lineman Chris Smith, who has been added to the 53-man roster. Smith spent 2023 on and off the Lions practice squad after going undrafted the previous season. Smith is a versatile player who can play a variety of positions along the defensive line, including nose tackle, at 6-foot-1 and 316 pounds.
Peko provides the Lions in the same position with the necessary depth. Expect eight-year veteran Peko to get some action against the Rams, as DJ Reader is questionable for the season opener and Brodric Martin is on injured reserve. Due to Reader’s injury during training camp, Peko spent the entire offseason playing defense with the first team. In 42 total game appearances (13 starts), Peko has recorded 56 tackles, 2.0 sacks, and a fumble recovery over his career. One has to wonder if Reader will have one more week before making his Lions debut, given that Peko and Smith are now available to play on Sunday.
Kennedy’s promotion is a noteworthy development. The majority, including myself, believed that the Lions would start one of Detroit’s large receivers on Sunday—Donovan Peoples-Jones, Tim Patrick, or Allen Robinson, for example. Kennedy is a mere 5-foot-10 and weighs 195 pounds. Isaiah Williams, a rookie receiver, might not play on game day this week due to his elevation.
To refresh your memory, the NFL allows teams to build a temporary 55-man roster by elevating two players per week from the practice squad. Those two players will return to the practice squad following the game, bypassing waivers. A player from the practice squad may only be promoted once every three months. After that, the player needs to be added to the 53-man roster in order to play.
