Head coach Dan Campbell often refers to it as the "vet squad," and that's exactly how the Detroit Lions have used their practice squad this season — to hoard veteran players who can fill valuable depth roles when the natural attrition of a season takes its toll on their 53-man roster.
Tim Patrick, Allen Robinson, Al-Quadin Muhammad, Pat O'Connor, David Long and Ezekiel Turner are all players with six or more years NFL experience who started with the Lions' practice squad this season and are now at least rotational players on offense or defense, and the Lions signed another experienced veteran, Jamal Adams, to the practice squad for more defensive insurance Sunday.
"They really are part of the roster it’s just a different way to get them on your team cause you’re going to need them, you’re going to have to use them," Campbell said. "And I think having the right balance of vets who’ve been able to, they’ve played in this league, they understand it, it’s not too big for them, plug and play. Serve a role, a purpose. You know exactly what they can do and you appreciate that about them. I think it’s big, and also to have some younger guys."
Once restricted to players early in their careers, the NFL has expanded the size of practice squads in recent seasons and tweaked its rules to allow teams to balance developmental talent with more proven backups.
For 2024, teams are allowed 16 practice-squad players and can sign a 17th through the league's International Pathways Program.
The Lions currently have 15 players on their practice squad, including three with more than three years experience: Adams, receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones and offensive tackle Jamarco Jones.
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"You do want a balance in there, guys that are plug-and-play ready and then some of these young guys you think really have a chance to grow into something more than just a backup and give them time to develop if you can," Campbell said. "And I feel like we’ve done a pretty good job of that, keeping that right balance."
Most of the Lions' veteran practice-squad promotions this year are ticketed for key roles in the final month of the season. Patrick (21 catches, 306 yards) is the Lions' current No. 3 receiver, Muhammad has been a key rotational pass rusher in most games since Aidan Hutchinson broken his leg in October, and Long and Turner are in the mix to start at linebacker with Malcolm Rodriguez, Derrick Barnes and Alex Anzalone currently on injured reserve.
Adams, the Lions' newest addition, is a three-time Pro Bowler and the No. 6 pick of the 2017 draft. He played in three games with the Tennessee Titans before asking for his release in October and spent the previous four seasons with the Seattle Seahawks.
The Lions have the best safety tandem in the NFL in Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph, but top backup Ifeatu Melifonwu has not played this season because of Achilles and finger injuries. Adams, in theory, is insurance for a potential Super Bowl run.
"We’ll see if there’s a place for him," Campbell said. "It just gives us options ... which is great. And we’re going to play the best players. Whoever can help us is going."
Dave Birkett will sign copies of his new book, "Detroit Lions: An Illustrated Timeline" at 7 p.m. Dec. 9 at Post Local Bistro in Plymouth.
