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The Detroit Lions announced they have removed EDGE rusher Austin Bryant from injured reserve and placed him on the active roster.
Bryant was selected in the 4th round out of Clemson, with hopes of him bringing some much-needed pass-rushing capabilities off the edge. After requiring offseason surgery, Bryant missed all of spring camp and entered training camp on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list. It wasn’t long into camp before he was removed from the PUP list and able to take the field.
A defensive end in college, Bryant was transitioning to a JACK linebacker role with the Lions, with hopes that his ability to rush from a standing position would translate. Things were going well until Bryant was once again injured and unable to practice.
Bryant would remain injured, but on the 90-man roster throughout the preseason, with the hope that he would be able to return at some point in the regular season. By waiting to place him on injured reserve until after the 53-man roster cut-downs, the Lions had the option to return him from injured reserve when he was fully healthy.
Three weeks ago, the Lions activated a 21-day evaluation period where Bryant was allowed to practice with the team while they evaluated his progress and determined his overall health. That period has come to a close, and the Lions were required to make a decision on his status — thus his addition to the active roster today.
Bryant may still be getting up to speed with the Lions scheme — as he transitions to a new role and has only practiced with the team minimally — so he may not be active on game days right away. But when he is up to speed, and healthy, he will bring another pass rushing element to the Lions front that they desperately need.