The Detroit Lions are dealing with injuries at linebacker and tight end, so that’s where they went looking for depth with Saturday’s roster moves.
They signed linebacker Ezekiel Turner from the practice squad and elevated former fifth-round pick James Mitchell. Sam LaPorta (shoulder) will miss this game after suffering an AC joint sprain in the win over the Houston Texans.
Even with Malcolm Rodriguez set to return from his two-game absence, the Lions needed more linebacker depth for Week 11.
Ben Niemann (ankle) is questionable, and Jalen Reeves-Maybin (neck) is on injured reserve. Turner played a meaty role on special teams in his first action of the year last week. He was tied for the team lead with 26 snaps in that department.
Mitchell’s addition also shouldn’t surprise anyone.
LaPorta is out of action, with Brock Wright and Shane Zylstra seeing a bump in the depth chart. Zylstra recently replaced Parker Hesse on the roster and rotation. So, consider Zylstra TE2 behind Wright for this week’s game.
It will likely be Mitchell’s first action of the season through his elevation, though. He’s appeared in 29 games over the last two seasons, notching 13 catches for 141 yards and one touchdown. Mitchell has played 340 offensive snaps and 277 on special teams, all with this same coaching staff.
The Lions will miss LaPorta and his pure pass-catching ability against the Jacksonville Jaguars back at Ford Field. But they are comfortable with the amount of familiarity and experience at the position.
