The Detroit Lions officially cut veteran defensive back Jalen Mills from their practice squad on Tuesday, a move that became inevitable once he used up all three of his practice squad elevations. Mills, at 32 years old, hit the limit after being elevated for the game against the Arizona Cardinals. This is a tough break for a guy who’s been around the league for a while.
His Final Stint and Limited Action
This season, Mills didn’t see a ton of action. Across two games, he logged just 26 defensive snaps and six special teams snaps, totaling three tackles. Those numbers come straight from Pro Football Focus, telling us he wasn’t a major factor on the field when he did get elevated. It looks like the Lions gave him his chances, but once those three elevations were gone, so was his spot.
A Veteran Career Comes to an End in Detroit
Mills has a long history in the NFL, originally drafted in the seventh round out of LSU by the Eagles way back in 2016. He entered the 2026 season with an impressive 122 games played and 92 starts under his belt. His career stats include 460 tackles, 60 passes defended, 10 tackles for loss, eight interceptions including one returned for a touchdown, seven quarterback hits, three forced fumbles, 1.5 sacks, and one fumble recovery. Last season, he also finished with the Lions, having been claimed off waivers on December 10, 2025. He played in three games for Detroit in 2025, recording 65 defensive snaps and 12 special teams snaps, according to Pro Football Focus. Now, with those three practice squad elevations exhausted, his time in Detroit is officially over.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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