The Detroit Lions announced that they have re-signed running back Dalyn Dawkins to the practice squad and released defensive lineman Kevin Strong in a corresponding move.
This Dawkins third stint with the Lions in less than a month as the Lions churn their practice squad on a weekly basis. With gadget running back Kerrith Whyte still on injured reserve, the Lions have leaned on Dawkins to fill a role they value on the practice squad.
Strong signed with the Lions after the 2019 draft and managed to earn a spot on the 53-man roster out of camp. He was a weekly contributor until he was placed on injured reserve midseason.
[lawrence-related id=26292]
This year in training camp, Strong still maintained his defensive tackle depth role, but due to roster construction, he landed on the practice squad instead of the active roster. When Nick Williams was injured in Week 2, it was Strong who the Lions called up to replace on the active roster — and he topped Pro Football Focus’ grades that week for the Lions.
Yesterday, the Lions elected to protect four players on the practice squad, one of them being Frank Herron. And now after today’s move, it’s clear he had passed Strong on the depth chart. Curiously, the Lions also opted to retain defensive tackle Albert Huggins, whom they have added and released from the practice squad several times this season.
On a positive note, because the Lions have a habit of bringing practice squad players back to the roster, so we may not have seen the last of Strong in Detroit.