The Lions’ roster is set, but a major injury just changed Detroit’s plans. Isiah Pacheco is headed to IR, and the practice squad is officially full
With the regular season just 12 days away, the Detroit Lions have officially solidified their 53-man roster and 16-man practice squad. However, Detroit delivered some bad news Tuesday as running back Isiah Pacheco will be placed on injured reserve, meaning he will miss at least the first four games of the NFL season and potentially longer.
Pacheco suffered an MCL sprain early in training camp and was initially expected to be ready for Week 1. However, about two weeks ago, Dan Campbell revealed that Pacheco was also dealing with a back injury that could keep him sidelined for an extended period of time.
Now, we have our answer.
Pacheco will miss at least the first four games of the season. During that stretch, the Lions will face the New Orleans Saints, Buffalo Bills, Carolina Panthers and New York Jets.
Pacheco’s injury could also help explain why Detroit kept five running backs on its 53-man roster, including Jabari Small, who was arguably one of the biggest surprises to make the team.
Lions Bring Back Tyler Conklin
With Pacheco being placed on injured reserve, Detroit opened up a spot on its 53-man roster and used it to bring back tight end Tyler Conklin.
The move caught me by surprise.
Detroit now has four tight ends on its active roster, which leaves many fans, myself included wondering whether Sam LaPorta is dealing with a bigger issue than we realize.
LaPorta returned from his hip injury last week and participated in 11-on-11 drills, appearing to look like himself. Still, keeping four tight ends on the 53-man roster is a somewhat unusual decision.
If LaPorta is fully healthy, the Lions now have an interesting situation at tight end with LaPorta, Conklin, Brock Wright and Jackson Meeks all on the roster.
Lions Add Elijah Klein
Detroit is also adding offensive lineman Elijah Klein to its practice squad.
Klein, a 2024 sixth-round pick out of UTEP, was released by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday after spending his first two NFL seasons with the team. He appeared in 26 games for Tampa Bay, making one start.
The 6-foot-4, nearly 320-pound offensive lineman gives Detroit another big body to work with along the offensive line. Klein has experience playing right guard, left guard, center and right tackle, giving the Lions some valuable versatility.
Dominic Lovett Rounds Out Practice Squad
Rounding out Detroit’s 16-man practice squad is wide receiver Dominic Lovett.
Lovett made the Lions’ roster last season but was initially left off the 53-man roster this year. He will now return to Detroit as a member of the practice squad.
Lovett joins Tom Kennedy and Lucky Jackson as the other wide receivers currently on Detroit’s practice squad.
With the roster now officially set, the Lions can turn their full attention toward Week 1 and preparing for what they hope will be a deep playoff run this season.
