With injuries at defensive tackle, last Saturday the Detroit Lions signed Frank Herron to the active roster and cut tight end Isaac Nauta in a corresponding move. This move freed up a roster spot on the practice squad, that was presumed to be ticketed for Nauta, but he elected to sign onto the Green Bay Packers practice squad instead.
With an open spot and a need for a rostered fourth tight end, the Lions signed tight end Jerell Adams to their practice squad.
Initially drafted in the sixth round of the 2016 draft by the New York Giants, Adams (6-5, 255) assumed a third tight end role, primarily being used as a blocker. In his rookie year, he played in 13 games, caught 16 passes for 122 yards, and a touchdown. As a sophomore, he played in every game, but only caught eight passes for 92 yards. He was waived at roster cutdowns in 2018.
He would go on to sign onto the Houston Texans practice squad for the 2018 season, and after one game on the active roster in 2019, he was then released and re-signed to the practice squad. A month later, he joined the New Orleans Saints practice squad to finish out the year.
In 2020, he opened the year on the Baltimore Ravens roster, was released and joined their practice squad, before eventually being released in October.