What had been expected over the past few days is now official.
On Tuesday, the Detroit Lions placed cornerback Carlton Davis III, defensive tackle Alim McNeill, and cornerback Khalil Dorsey on injured reserve, effectively ending their seasons. All three players sustained significant injuries during Sunday’s game against the Buffalo Bills, adding to the team’s ongoing series of injury woes this year. Additionally, the Lions released defensive end Isaiah Thomas and signed two new players. Thomas, who was brought in from Cincinnati in October after Aidan Hutchinson’s injury, appeared in only two games with limited action.
To fill the roster spots, Detroit signed cornerback Stantley Thomas-Oliver to the practice squad and linebacker Anthony Pittman from Jacksonville’s practice squad to the active roster. Thomas-Oliver, a seventh-round pick by Carolina in 2020, has struggled to find playing time since then. Pittman, originally from Michigan, spent several years with the Lions before joining Jacksonville this season, where he played his only game last month against Detroit.
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Given the team’s ongoing injury issues, the Lions will likely make more roster moves in the coming days.
Interestingly, running back David Montgomery was not placed on IR. Despite suffering an injury that many expected would end his season, Montgomery expressed hope on Tuesday during a coat drive event that he might be able to return at some point this year, with the team still working on the details. While his return seems unlikely, it offers a glimmer of hope during a tough time for the Lions.