Lions Sign UFL Cornerback After Releasing Injured Veteran

The Detroit Lions have signed another cornerback to their roster after an injury forced them to release veteran Stantley Thomas-Oliver over the weekend.

According to the team’s official transaction wire, the Lions signed UFL cornerback Nick Whiteside on Monday to fill the vacancy that Thomas-Oliver left on the 90-man roster.

Whiteside, 25, participated in training camp with the Washington Commanders in each of the last two years and appeared in two games for them in the 2023 season, playing 15 defensive snaps and 13 special teams snaps but recording no statistics in either contest.

Most recently, Whiteside played at the UFL level for the St. Louis Battlehawks, starting in five of 11 games and registering 17 total tackles and three pass-breakups on defense.

Whiteside will now have a chance to compete for a depth spot in the Lions’ rotation.

Nick Whiteside Made Impression at 1st Lions Practice

Whiteside has much to prove to the Lions’ coaches if he wants to win a spot on their 53-man roster heading into the 2025 season. The starting roles at the position are settled with veteran D.J. Reed and Terrion Arnold on the perimeters and Amik Robertson in the slot, while second-year Ennis Rakestraw Jr. will likely plug in as the top backup.

The Lions also have two veterans in Rock Ya-Sin and Avonte Maddox vying for the other depth roles in the rotation, giving Whiteside some major competition for a job.

Good thing, then, that Whiteside made an impression in his first Lions practice.

According to Detroit Sports Podcast, Whiteside picked off backup quarterback Hendon Hooker in a tight, one-on-one situation in the red zone during Monday’s practice. He did not elaborate on more of the specifics, but any play like that helps the roster case.

If he keeps it up, maybe Whiteside can make a serious run at making the roster.

Lions Are Still Dealing With Injuries at Cornerback

The Lions have managed to keep the top of their cornerback room in good shape as they have moved into the second week of camp, but they have still dealt with a few injuries over past two weeks that have forced them to readjust their bottom-roster personnel.

The Lions had to place cornerback Khalil Dorsey on the active/physically unable to perform (PUP) list when he reported for camp on July 17. While Lions head coach Dan Campbell expressed optimism about how quickly Dorsey could return, he indicated that “late camp” is the projected timeline for him to get back out on the practice field.

“I would say Dorsey’s probably the closest of that group,” Campbell said last Tuesday. “We’re hoping late camp, we could get Dorsey back. He’s doing well. He’s running — the speed is there. Now, it’s just about being able to put your foot in the ground, make a transitional.”

The Lions also released Thomas-Oliver — who played two games for them in 2024 — on Sunday after he bowed out early of the previous day’s practice with a hamstring injury.

While neither Dorsey nor Thomas-Oliver came into camp with a guaranteed roster spot, their absences have left the Lions lacking a bit in terms of depth. Whiteside’s signing will help them fix that, even if the 25-year-old only proves to be a camp body for them.