Recently, the Detroit Lions have been churning over their practice squad. Since just Saturday, the Lions have promoted quarterback David Blough to the active roster, signed defensive tackle Albert Huggins, released wide receiver/quarterback Joe Webb and entered today with an available spot.
This afternoon, the Lions announced they have added offensive tackle Dan Skipper and tight end Matt Sokol to the practice squad, while waiving punter Arryn Siposs in a corresponding move, getting their practice squad roster back to the allotted 16 players.
This is Skipper’s third stint with the Lions, the first came in 2017 when he was signed to the practice squad and eventually promoted to the active roster. The second came last season in November when they claimed him off waivers and he bounced between the active roster and practice squad. This offseason he signed a futures deal and was with the team through training camp when he was released on cut day.
The Lions have been healthy at tackle all season until last week when Hal Vaitai and Tyrell Crosby both exited the game with dehydration issues, leaving Matt Nelson — who filled in admirably at right tackle — as the lone remaining tackle available. Skipper figures to be practice squad insurance at this stage.
Sokol also signed a futures deal with the Lions in January, was with the team throughout training camp, and was released on cut day. With Hunter Bryant landing on injured reserve last week, Sokol gives the Lions four tight ends for practices, with T.J. Hockenson and Jesse James on the active roster, and Isaac Nauta joining Sokol on the practice squad.
Jack Fox is playing at an elite level, and the Lions apparently felt comfortable moving forward with only one punter on the roster, thus moving on from Siposs.