The Detroit Lions announced they have placed rookie EDGE rusher Julian Okwara on injured reserve and re-signed cornerback Chris Jones in a corresponding move.
Okwara appeared to injure his right leg in last Sunday’s game on just his fifth snaps into the contest and was unable to return to the game. It’s worth noting that this is the opposite leg he broke at Notre Dame, so there won’t likely be any overlapping concerns surrounding this new injury.
At his morning press conference, coach Matt Patricia said there was no timetable for Okwara to return, only saying it would take at least “a couple of weeks” — thus the move to injured reserve — and then they will reevaluate him.
Okwara will be eligible to return after Week 9, and once healthy, the Lions will be able to introduce a 21-day evaluation period to determine if he can return this season or if he will need to be placed on season-ending injured reserve.
Jones was released last Saturday in order to make room for quarterback David Blough on the active roster. Blough needed to be added to the roster ahead of last week’s game as the Dallas Cowboys were actively trying to poach him off the Lions practice squad. While Blough was protected through their Week 6 game, he would have been subject to poaching the 24 hours after the game, and the Lions were forced to make a move in order to retain him.
Jones will resume a depth role at cornerback, but will likely be looking over his shoulder as fellow corner Mike Ford is eligible to return from waivers at any time and is currently entering the second week of his post-IR 21-day evaluation period.