The Detroit Lions made several notable roster moves on Saturday, each raising important questions about the remainder of the season. Here’s a breakdown of what they did:
Placed Carlton Davis, Khalil Dorsey, and Alim McNeill on Injured Reserve
It was no surprise to see three players moved to IR, but what’s interesting is that the Lions opted not to place a fourth on the list. This decision might indicate that one of them could return later this season—likely Carlton Davis. If that’s the case, it could mean Derrick Barnes and John Cominsky are truly out for the year.
Another notable omission from the IR list is David Montgomery. His injury situation remains unclear, but it’s not typically a season-ending issue. There’s a chance he could return if the Lions make a deep playoff run. The Super Bowl is nearly eight weeks away, which aligns with the recovery timeline for a grade-three MCL tear—the most severe type. Dr. Colin Looney recently told A to Z Sports that such an injury usually sidelines players for 6-8 weeks.
This leaves room for optimism. If the Lions go the distance, Montgomery might return, and Carlton Davis could too. However, it appears unlikely for Cominsky or Barnes. For now, the Lions have two open roster spots.
Released Isaiah Thomas from the Practice Squad
After being poached from the Bengals a few weeks ago, Isaiah Thomas struggled to make an impact. He was initially released, re-signed to the practice squad, and now the Lions are cutting ties entirely.
Signed CB Stanley Thomas-Oliver to the Practice Squad
The Lions filled one of their practice squad openings by signing cornerback Stanley Thomas-Oliver. A seventh-round pick by the Panthers in 2020, Thomas-Oliver played three seasons in Carolina before being released in October 2023. He later joined the Giants’ practice squad and signed a futures deal, but an injury in training camp derailed his stint there.
This past summer, Thomas-Oliver joined the UFL’s Birmingham Stallions before now landing in Detroit. The 26-year-old has appeared in 25 regular-season NFL games.
Made Anthony Pittman Poaching from Jaguars Official
Earlier in the week, reports surfaced that the Lions were bringing back Anthony Pittman, and it’s now official. Known for his special teams prowess, Pittman is expected to contribute on both special teams and defense.
