Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell addressed the team’s offensive struggles during his weekly appearance on 97.1 The Ticket on September 17. Meanwhile, the Lions made a roster move involving rookie safety Loren Strickland, who initially impressed enough to secure a spot on the 53-man roster.
Strickland, an undrafted rookie out of Ball State, showed promise but struggled to find a role in the defensive rotation, playing exclusively on special teams. On Wednesday, the Lions announced they had waived the 24-year-old, a decision that USA Today’s Jeff Risdon suggested could pave the way for new roster additions.
“The recent additions of linebackers Jamal Adams and Ezekiel Turner and the anticipated need to add more impactful help on the injury-riddled Detroit defense necessitated waiving Strickland,” Risdon wrote.
Lions Could Have Other Plans for Rookie Safety
Though Strickland appeared in six games, logging 71 snaps on special teams without playing a single defensive snap, his time with the Lions might not be over.
Risdon predicted Strickland could return to Detroit’s practice squad if he clears waivers.
“Should he clear waivers, expect Strickland back on Detroit’s practice squad,” Risdon wrote. “His physical presence as a safety and on punt and kick coverage units has some real value and long-term developmental potential for the Lions.”
New Addition Ready to Make a Difference
The Lions bolstered their defense this week by signing former All-Pro linebacker Jamal Adams. The move comes as the team looks to address injuries, including one sustained by linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez.
Adams expressed enthusiasm about joining a team with a tough defensive identity.
“I mean, they’ve been kicking everybody’s [expletive],” Adams said via the Detroit Free Press. “So I’m fortunate enough, again, just to be on a team that’s rolling like that. And whatever I can do to help, that’s what I’m here for.”
Head coach Dan Campbell also highlighted other recent defensive additions, noting their potential impact ahead of a pivotal matchup with the Green Bay Packers.
“Yeah, there again, we brought in he and Kwon Alexander, Myles Adams and Jonah Williams,” Campbell said during his 97.1 The Ticket appearance on Monday. “So we’ve got some guys that we’re gonna get a look at and see, with what we have on this roster, who we can use, how we can use them, what gives us the best chance.
There may be a place, there may be a place here for Jamal and today’s gonna tell a lot. This will be our full speed today, we’re gonna get really good movement. So we’ll have a whole better feel by this afternoon, five, six-o’clock tonight.”
Lions Eye Top Spot in NFC Playoffs
The Lions currently lead the NFC with an 11-1 record, tied with the Kansas City Chiefs for the best record in the league. They are in a strong position to secure the franchise’s first-ever No. 1 overall seed in the modern playoff format.
The NFC North remains competitive, however, with the Minnesota Vikings close behind at 10-2. As the Lions prepare for their Thursday showdown against the Packers, every move and addition could prove critical in their pursuit of both the NFC North title and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.
