The Detroit Lions got hit with a gut punch on Monday, losing starting safety Avonte Maddox for the entire season. A foot injury requiring surgery means the dude is done, and just like that, Detroit had a massive hole in their secondary they needed to plug ASAP. In a direct reaction, the Lions didn’t waste any time, signing veteran safety Jalen Mills to their practice squad, filling the spot opened up when Levi Onwuzurike moved to the 53-man roster over the weekend.
Campbell Wants Vets and Young Guns
Lions coach Dan Campbell made it clear what the team was looking for, telling reporters Monday afternoon they were “in the market for a veteran safety,and possibly more.” Campbell even admitted they “had a workout this morning just looking for a veteran guy.” But it’s not just about the old guard; he also mentioned looking for “promising young players” on other teams they could “poach and bring in and let them compete.” As of Monday’s transaction wire, though, Mills was the only new face in the secondary, but you know Campbell is always cooking something up.
Mills Brings the Swagger Back to Motown
Mills, at 32 years old, is rolling into his 11th NFL season, and this dude has seen it all. A seventh-round pick back in 2016 for the Eagles, he’s started 92 games and made 122 appearances across five different teams over the last decade. He even played for the Lions last year, getting picked up on waivers after Brian Branch got hurt, and stepping up for three games down the stretch. He might have started as a corner, but he’s been rocking nickel or safety since 2023. What does he bring? The source says he’s a “willing run defender” and “plays with some swagger.” You gotta love that. Right now, Detroit’s got Chuck Clark, Thomas Harper, and Christian Izien holding down the fort at safety on the 53-man roster. Mills will definitely have to work his way in, but you know a guy with that much experience and swagger isn’t just there to watch. Keep an eye on the Lions secondary; they’re not done making moves to secure that late-season run.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Pride of Detroit.
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