The Detroit Lions announced they have placed undrafted rookie tight end Hunter Bryant on Injured Reserve.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the NFL has adjusted the short-term IR rules for 2020, meaning Bryant will be eligible to return in three weeks — after Week 8 — instead of the normal eight weeks stint.
It’s been a rough start to his NFL career for Bryant. He looked sharp through the first week of training camp but a late-week hamstring injury sidelined him for the remainder of the offseason. Fortunately, he showed enough in camp to earn a spot on the 53-man roster, with the hope that he would return by Week 3 and was not placed on IR.
Unfortunately, his hamstring lingered and he missed the first four weeks of the season. He returned to full strength during the bye but a concussion heading into week six put him back on the shelf and eventually led to his placement on IR.
This move cleared a space on the roster and the early expectation is that starting left guard Joe Dahl will be activated from his stint on IR. It’s possible that reserve running back Bo Scarbrough or reserve corner Mike Ford could also return on the off chance Dahl isn’t ready, as all three practiced this week and their health is currently being evaluated. If a move happens, it should come on Saturday.