Ezekiel Turner – Syndication Server

Tracking what jersey numbers all the new Lions are wearing

Tracking what jersey numbers all the new Detroit Lions signees from the past few weeks are wearing

All of the injuries across the Detroit Lions defense have led to the addition of several recent reinforcements. The Lions have signed seven new defensive players in the last couple of weeks.

Between all the comings and goings from the Lions roster, it can be hard to keep up with who is on the field at times. In that spirit, here are the jersey numbers of all the recent defensive additions to the Lions roster, including the practice squad players who might be called up to play in Week 14 against the Packers.

LB Jamal Adams – 25*

DL Myles Adams – 66

LB Kwon Alexander – 10

LB David Long – 43

S Kaevon Merriweather – 27*

LB Ezekiel Turner – 47

DL Jonah Williams – 78

*indicates currently on the Lions practice squad

Update: Not long after publication, the Buccaneers signed Merriweather off the Lions’ practice squad.

Ezekiel Turner earns Lions’ coaching trust in replacing key special teamer

Recently signed LB Ezekiel Turner earns Lions’ special teams coach Dave Fipp’s trust in replacing injured Jalen Reeves-Maybin

During the Detroit Lions’ 52-6 blowout win over the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 11, fans might have noticed No. 47 in Honolulu Blue racing all over the field on special teams. That was Ezekiel Turner, signed to the active roster after a stint on the Lions’ practice squad.

Turner had a very impressive game on coverage units in Ford Field. The lightweight LB (he’s listed at 214 pounds) technically made his Detroit debut against Houston, facing the team he began the 2024 campaign with in Week 10 as a practice squad elevation. He only played on special teams against the Texans, but Turner snuck in a few defensive reps against the Jaguars after being signed to Detroit’s 53-man roster.

The 28-year-old Turner spent his first six NFL seasons playing primarily special teams for the Arizona Cardinals. He was effectively the Arizona version of longtime Lions special teams stalwart and reserve LB Jalen Reeves-Maybin.

As special teams coordinator Dave Fipp explained, Turner was a very natural and obvious player to get into the lineup when Reeves-Maybin went down with an injury. The veteran Reeves-Maybin was placed on I.R. ahead of Week 10 with a neck injury.

“He really has a very similar game to Jalen Reeves-Maybin and they both play personal protector, they’ve actually both played in the same punt system,” Fipp told reporters. “Us and Arizona kind of use the same terminology, system, very similar in that regard.”

The similarities extend beyond just the vernacular, and that has helped Fipp integrate Turner quickly into Reeves-Maybin’s important shoes on special teams.

“They are also very aggressive with the fakes and all that stuff, so he has experience doing all that for them,” Fipp stated. “Just the way he covers, the way he plays the game is very similar to Jalen Reeves-Maybin, so it was like just a natural slide in and fit. So, it was an easy decision for us. He’s super smart and intelligent. I’ve got a lot of confidence and faith and trust in him already, in a very short period of time. The special teams coach from Arizona (Jeff Rodgers) sent me a text message and said, ‘I don’t know if I trust another guy more than I trust him,’ and that’s a guy I respect quite a bit.”

With Alex Anzalone now out, Turner could get called upon for more defensive work in Week 12.

Lions sign LB Ezekiel Turner among final Week 11 roster moves

The Detroit Lions tweaked the 53-man roster ahead of the Week 11 matchup with the visiting Jacksonville Jaguars. On Saturday, the Lions signed one player from the team’s practice squad and elevated another for Sunday’s game.

The Lions signed linebacker Ezekiel Turner from the practice squad. Detroit had a roster opening after placing LB Jalen Reeves-Maybin on I.R. ahead of Week 10. Like Reeves-Maybin, Turner is a special teams backer.

With starting TE Sam LaPorta out for Week 11, the Lions also elevated veteran James Mitchell from the practice squad to help flesh out the tight end depth chart. Mitchell has been on the practice squad all season.

Lions make transactions involving 7 players ahead of Week 10

Lions make transactions involving 7 players ahead of Week 10, including placing Jalen Reeves-Maybin on IR and signing 3 from practice squad

It was a very busy Saturday for the Lions ahead of their trip to Houston to play the Texans in Week 10. Detroit made roster moves involving seven players.

The Lions waived EDGE Isaiah Thomas at the first possible opportunity. Thomas was signed off the Cincinnati Bengals practice squad after Week 6, meaning the Lions had to keep him on the active roster for at least three weeks. That time expired ahead of Week 10, and Thomas’ meager contributions (3 tackles, zero QB hurries) made him expendable.

Detroit also placed linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin on injured reserve. Reeves-Maybin suffered a neck injury suffered in the Week 9 win in Green Bay. He will miss at least the next four games, including Sunday.

[lawrence-related id=114796]

To fill those roster vacancies, the Lions signed three players from the practice squad to the active roster:

TE Shane Zylstra
EDGE Al-Quadin Muhammad
LB Abraham Beauplan

Zylstra was out of practice squad elevations, so his signing was expected after the team waived rookie WR Isaiah Williams during the week. Williams has since been claimed by the Cincinnati Bengals.

In this week’s practice squad elevations, offensive tackle Jamarco Jones and linebacker Ezekiel Turner were promoted to play against Houston. It is the first elevation for each player in 2024.

Lions add some familiar names and a newcomer to the practice squad

Lions add Chris Smith and Abraham Beauplan, plus a newcomer to the practice squad ahead of the Week 10 matchup with the Houston Texans

The Detroit Lions filled out all the vacancies on the team’s practice squad ahead of Wednesday’s practice session in Allen Park. With three spots open, the Lions brought back two familiar names and one new player–who has ties to this week’s opponent, the Houston Texans.

As expected, the Lions re-signed defensive tackle Chris Smith and linebacker Abraham Beauplan to the practice squad. The defensive duo had been on the practice squad all season before being signed to the active roster last week as Detroit dealt with an injury crunch. Smith played 10 snaps in the win over the Packers, while Beauplan didn’t get in on defense but played extensively on special teams while filling in for injured Malcolm Rodriguez.

The Lions also added veteran linebacker Ezekiel Turner to the practice squad. The 28-year-old spent the 2018 through 2023 seasons playing for the Arizona Cardinals, primarily on special teams. The Lions are his fourth team in 2024, with practice squad stints with the Texans and Seattle Seahawks during the regular season and offseason time with the San Francisco 49ers. He was on the Texans practice squad for the first four weeks of the season.

[lawrence-related id=114697]

Seahawks sign LB Ezekiel Turner to practice squad

The Seattle Seahawks continue to make swaps at linebacker for their practice squad. Linebacker Devin Richardson, who was signed last week, replaced fellow linebacker Tyus Bowser on the practice squad. Now, Richardson has been replaced himself, as he was released on Tuesday. Taking his spot is yet another linebacker in Ezekiel Turner.

Turner, a former Washington Husky from 2015-17, returns to the Emerald City. Interestingly, Turner was a defensive back for UW before transitioning into linebacker for the NFL. Undrafted in 2018, Turner joined forces with his former Husky teammate Budda Baker in the desert, signing with the Arizona Cardinals.

During his seven years with the Cardinals, Turner recorded 83 total tackles, and forced one fumble. He made his biggest impact on special teams.

After brief offseason/practice squad stints with the San Francisco 49ers and Houston Texans this year, Turner now finds himself on his third NFL home for the 2024 season. Given the constant injuries at the position this year for Seattle, it makes sense the Seahawks would want to load up on veteran linebackers in their organization.

[lawrence-auto-related count=4 category=1360]

Eagles PFF grades: Best and worst performers from 35-31 loss to Cardinals

We’re looking at the highest and lowest graded players in the Philadelphia Eagles 35-31 loss to the Arizona Cardinals in Week 17

The Eagles no longer control their destiny for the No. 2 overall seed and NFC East after a 35-31 loss to the Cardinals at home.

In Jonathan Gannon’s return to Philadelphia, Arizona rushed for 221 yards, with James Conner logging 26 carries for 128 yards and one touchdown.

The Cardinals’ win put the Cowboys in the No. 2 seed entering Week 18, and a victory over Washington would give Dallas the NFC East.

With fans and pundits outraged by the loss, we’re looking at the highest and lowest-graded players via PFF.

NFC playoff picture: Eagles fall behind Cowboys after shocking loss to Cardinals

We’re looking at an updated NFC playoff picture after the Philadelphia Eagles shocking 35-31 loss to Arizona Cardinals

The Eagles entered Sunday controlling their own destiny in the NFC, while still having opportunity to move up as far as No. 1 with help.

That plan was demolished, as Arizona upset Philadelphia 35-31 at Lincoln Financial Field, upending the NFC race, while sending Nick Sirianni’s team to the No. 5 seed, and a date on the road against the NFC South’s division winner.

With fans and pundits in shock, here’s an updated look at the NFC playoff picture.

National reaction to Eagles shocking 35-31 loss to the Cardinals in Week 17

We’re looking at the national reaction of the Philadelphia Eagles shocking 35-31 loss to the Arizona Cardinals at home in Week 17

In what can only be described as a shocking performance, the Eagles no longer control their destiny after a 35-31 loss to the Cardinals at home.

In Jonathan Gannon’s return to Philadelphia, Arizona rushed for 221 yards, with James Conner logging 26 physical carries for 128 yards and one touchdown.

The Cardinals’ win put the Cowboys in the No. 2 seed entering Week 18, and a victory over Washington would give Dallas the NFC East.

With the outcome now final, here’s the national reaction to the Eagles’ stunning collapse.

Eagles vs. Cardinals: 10 players to watch in Week 17 matchup

We’re looking at ten players to watch when the Philadelphia Eagles host the Arizona Cardinals in a Week 17 matchup at Lincoln Financial Field

The Eagles (11-4) are just three hours away from hosting the Cardinals (3-12) on Sunday afternoon at Lincoln Financial Field in an intriguing matchup that’ll see Jonathan Gannon return to Philadelphia for the first time since the Super Bowl 57 loss to Kansas City.

There are several vital storylines and matchups to watch, while the quarterback battle will feature two dual-threat stars in Jalen Hurts and Kyler Murray.

With pregame warmups set to begin, we’re looking at ten players to watch on both team.