Approved in: Detroit landed another smart sign of a talented power threat fans man

The Detroit Lions now have a full 53-man roster, plus two more players who were elevated from the practice squad on Saturday.

On Saturday afternoon, the Detroit Lions announced the promotion of two players from the practice squad for their game against the Los Angeles Rams: defensive tackle Kyle Peko and wide receiver Tom Kennedy.

Additionally, the Lions have signed defensive lineman Chris Smith to their 53-man roster, filling the team’s final roster spot. Smith, who went undrafted last year, spent the 2023 season intermittently on Detroit’s practice squad. At 6-foot-1 and 316 pounds, Smith offers versatility along the defensive line, including at nose tackle.

Peko, an eight-year veteran, will provide essential depth at defensive tackle. With Brodric Martin on injured reserve and DJ Reader uncertain for the season opener, Peko is expected to see playing time against the Rams. During Reader’s absence from training camp, Peko handled most of the first-team reps on defense.

In his career, Peko has recorded 56 tackles, 2.0 sacks, and a fumble recovery in 42 games, including 13 starts. With Peko and Smith now active, it’s possible that Reader might be given an additional week to make his Lions debut.

Kennedy’s promotion is noteworthy. Many had anticipated that the Lions would elevate one of their larger receivers for this game, such as Donovan Peoples-Jones, Tim Patrick, or Allen Robinson. Kennedy, standing 5-foot-10 and weighing 195 pounds, is a surprising choice. His promotion might suggest that rookie receiver Isaiah Williams could be inactive for this game.

Under NFL rules, teams can elevate two practice squad players per week to temporarily expand their roster to 55 players. After the game, these players revert to the practice squad without needing to clear waivers.

Practice squad players can be elevated up to three times per season. After that, they must be signed to the 53-man roster to continue playing.