The Detroit Lions announced six roster moves ahead of their Week 17 matchup with the Minnesota Vikings, including activating defensive tackle Danny Shelton from injured reserve and signing safety Bobby Price from the practice squad to the active roster.
Other roster moves include elevating center Evan Brown and defensive tackle Albert Huggins for tomorrow’s game, activating practice squad linebacker Anthony Pittman from the Reserve/COVID-19 list, and releasing defensive lineman Frank Herron.
Shelton was added to injured reserve with a knee injury in early December, and after three weeks he worked his way back to practices. He has been activated to the roster in hopes of playing against the Vikings on Sunday, but his knee could still keep him from the game, as he was added to this week’s injury report and listed as questionable.
With Shelton being a potential game-time decision, it explains the elevation of Huggins from the practice squad. With the Vikings’ strong running offense, the Lions appear to want to have at least one nose tackle other than John Penisini on the game-day roster.
Herron, who is more of a 3T/Big DE, was released in order to make room for Shelton.
Price will take the vacated roster spot of safety Jayron Kearse, who was released earlier in the week. In Week 17, he will mainly contribute on special teams, but Price is an athlete with upside and this move appears to be more about the future. In the grand scheme of roster development, Price will give the Lions four safeties under contract heading into the offseason.
Brown was called upon to replace Joe Dahl at center last week, contributing on 28 of the Lions’ 53 offensive snaps. This week, Pro Bowl center Frank Ragnow is expected to be back in the lineup — he is listed as questionable — but Dahl remains out and the Lions will turn to Brown to back up the position once again.
One final note: Pittman, who was placed on the Reserve/COVID-19 list two weeks ago, has cleared the league protocols and will return back to the practice squad.