Detroit Lions Make Bold Move, Re-Signing Electrifying WR for the Stretch Run

The Detroit Lions are adding a familiar face to their practice squad, bringing back wide receiver Maurice Alexander, who’s had an extended presence with the team.

As reported by NFL insider Aaron Wilson on November 13, the Lions signed Alexander to the practice squad. While he has limited NFL game experience, Alexander has spent significant time on the Lions’ practice squad and will now occupy the spot left vacant after an undrafted rookie was waived earlier in the month.

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Adjustments in the Lions’ Wide Receiver Group

Alexander, now 27, initially joined the Lions in 2022 after an impressive season with the Philadelphia Stars in the USFL. He played in four games for the Lions that season, primarily as a kick returner.

After spending the 2023 season on the practice squad, Alexander returned for training camp this season but didn’t make the final 53-man roster cut.

Instead, the Lions kept undrafted rookie Isaiah Williams, who impressed in preseason and earned a spot on the active roster. However, Williams was later outpaced by another receiver, eventually becoming a healthy scratch for six games, as reported by Christian Booher of SI.com.

“Detroit has seen progress at receiver with veteran Tim Patrick,” Booher wrote. “Brought onto the practice squad after his release from the Denver Broncos, Patrick has secured a key role on the active roster, recording 12 catches for 177 yards over seven games and making key blocks.”

After being waived, Williams was picked up by the Cincinnati Bengals, thwarting any potential Lions plans to bring him back to the practice squad.

Williams’ Return Bolsters Lions’ Receiving Corps

The Lions also saw the return of third-year receiver Jameson Williams this week, fresh off a two-game suspension for violating the league’s policy on performance-enhancing drugs.

Williams caught three of five targets for 53 yards in Sunday’s game, helping the Lions secure a comeback 26-23 win over the Houston Texans.

Reflecting on his suspension, Williams shared lessons learned during his time away from the team.

“What have I learned?” he said last week via the Detroit Free Press. “Just to be smarter, I guess. Move smarter. Be a bigger person in certain situations and things like that. So I’d say those would be the main, big things.”

Lions head coach Dan Campbell, who has remained supportive through Williams’ setbacks, expressed confidence in the young receiver’s growth and resilience.

“Any time you miss playing, you tend to reflect,” Campbell said. “It hurts not to play, and when you have no one to blame but yourself, you’re forced to take a harder look. I really believe he’ll grow from it. Today at our walk-through, he looked focused and ready to go, so I think he’ll come through this stronger.”