Alright, so get this: the New England Patriots just swooped in and officially signed rookie linebacker Erick Hunter to their 53-man active roster on Tuesday. Boom! That move completely shut down any hope the Detroit Lions had of bringing the promising undrafted talent back to their practice squad. You gotta feel for the kid, but man, that stings for Detroit fans after he really started to show out.
Hunter Blew Up in Detroit Before Heading East
This wasn’t some random dude off the street, either. Hunter arrived in Detroit as an undrafted free agent from Morgan State, and let me tell you, he absolutely dominated at the FCS level. His college career included 298 tackles, 35 tackles for loss, 10.5 sacks, seven forced fumbles, and three interceptions. Just pure production, year after year. His senior year in 2025? He piled up 102 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, and four sacks, snagging First-Team All-MEAC honors along the way. NFL.com even ranked him as the fifth-best undrafted linebacker available after the 2026 NFL Draft. It was a no-brainer for the Lions to grab him.
And Hunter didn’t just disappear once training camp actually kicked off. Nope. He made noise! Remember that August scrimmage? This guy picked off Jared Goff in the end zone while covering Sam LaPorta! That’s a highlight play against a starting QB, no joke. Detroit’s own Tim Twentyman specifically called out Hunter as a player to watch during the preseason, pointing to his impressive length and his knack for making big plays. He wasn’t just another camp body; he put himself squarely into what was a seriously crowded battle for Detroit’s final linebacker spots.
The Waiver Wire Bet That Backfired
Ultimately, Detroit just had too many good linebackers. They ended up keeping six studs: Jack Campbell, Derrick Barnes, Devin White, Malcolm Rodriguez, Trevor Nowaske, and rookie Jimmy Rolder. That’s a deep, deep room. So, Hunter was waived following their 25-16 preseason victory over Indianapolis, which had to be a tough moment for him, even with all those impressive plays under his belt.
But here’s the kicker, the part that probably has Lions fans shaking their heads. Hunter cleared waivers. Let that sink in: all 31 other NFL teams initially passed on claiming his rookie contract. That really made it look like the door was wide open for a Detroit reunion, maybe a spot on the practice squad. Then, boom! The Patriots stepped in and gave Hunter something Detroit couldn’t: an immediate spot on the active roster. For any young player trying to make it in this league, that’s an offer you just can’t refuse. While the article says it’s not a “devastating” loss for the Lions, it’s definitely a “notable” one. Losing a potential developmental guy like that, especially after he showed flashes, feels like a real missed opportunity. It’s a small loss, sure, but a loss is still a loss, and the Patriots just got themselves a promising young talent thanks to it.
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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