The Lions are signing CB Tae Hayes, waive injured CB Jarren Williams

Hayes has bounced around several NFL teams and also played in the USFL

There is a new cornerback heading into the Lions den. The team is signing veteran free agent Tae Hayes.

The info was first reported by Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press and has been confirmed independently. Hayes is expected at practice on Saturday morning.

Hayes, 25, is entering his fifth NFL season out of Appalachian State. He’s bounced around several teams, including active stints with the Panthers and Patriots in 2022. He most recently tried out for the Buffalo Bills after being waived by the Patriots following the 2023 NFL draft. Hayes also played for the Birmingham Stallions in the USFL in 2022.

At 5-foot-9 and 182 pounds, Hayes is a bit of an odd size for an outside cornerback. He’s played outside almost exclusively, as well as working on punt and kick return units across his multiple NFL stops.

Hayes will fill the roster spot created when cornerback Jarren Williams was waived with injury status on Friday. Williams was carted off from Thursday’s practice session with a leg injury.

Lions reveal free agent jersey numbers and veteran number changes

A bunch of Lions players changed their numbers now that different jerseys were available

When the Detroit Lions take to the field for the first mandatory minicamp in a few weeks, we’ll get a chance to see the free agents signed this offseason in their new jerseys for the first time. Now we know which number each of the new Lions will be sporting in 2023, at least to start the offseason.

The Lions revealed the jersey number choices of the free agent class of 2023. It was included in the same social media postings as the rookie jersey number assignments.

For the first time in the modern era, a Lions player will don No. 0. That honor goes to veteran wideout Marvin Jones, who returned in free agency after two seasons in Jacksonville.

The liberation of number assignments allows several new defensive backs to rock single-digit jerseys. Cam Sutton will wear No. 1, with C.J. Gardner-Johnson going for No. 2 and Emmanuel Moseley choosing the No 4 jersey. Running back David Montgomery will go with No. 5.

In addition to the new free agents, several holdover Lions pulled off some jersey number changes, too. Most notable among these are DB Ifeatu Melifonwu moving to No. 6 from 26 and running back Craig Reynolds choosing No. 13 after being No. 46.

That 24 belongs to cornerback Jarren Williams, not to be confused with wideout Jameson Williams, who appears to be keeping his No. 9.

Lions elevate Jermar Jefferson and Jarren Williams for Week 18

Lions elevate RB Jermar Jefferson and CB Jarren Williams from the practice squad for Week 18

The final regular season game for the Detroit Lions is a little over a day away. On Saturday, the Lions elevated two players from the practice squad to the active roster.

One of the names is one that has fallen off the radar this season. Second-year RB Jermar Jefferson will be on the gameday roster for the first time all season. Jefferson didn’t make the team after the preseason and has stuck on the Lions’ practice squad all year. He played in seven games as a seventh-round rookie in 2021.

Cornerback Jarren Williams has been elevated for the second time this year. Williams played on 14 special teams snaps in the Week 14 win over Minnesota. If either Williams or Jefferson appears in Sunday’s game against the Packers in Green Bay, it will almost certainly come on a special teams rep.

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Studs and Duds from the Lions Week 14 victory over the Vikings

Here are this weeks Studs and Duds for the the Detroit Lions as they continue their winning ways beating the Minnesota Vikings, 34-23,

The Detroit Lions continue their impressive run with a 34-23 victory over their division rival, the Minnesota Vikings, winning five of their last six games.

The Lions continue to put the league on notice as they are no longer the pushover team or redemption game from the past, but the team who knock you down if you aren’t careful. Through aggressive play calling, stout defense and strong execution, the Lions are now making noise in the playoff hunt.

Even though the Vikings continued to fight back, the Lions were in control throughout the game and never surrendered the lead. It might not have been the cleanest game, but the mistakes that would’ve brought down past Lions teams, this year’s squad has learned to bounce back and fight to the last second. The offense looked in sync, the defense played strong, and even special teams were spot on. When you play complementary football, this is what you get and something many people can get used to seeing.

There are many high fives to hand out, as many had strong performances this week, but unfortunately, some did not have the greatest showings. So here are this week’s studs and duds.

Lions sign CB Jarren Williams to the practice squad after a tryout

Lions sign CB Jarren Williams to the practice squad after a tryout and released rookie WR Josh Johnson

Tuesday is traditionally tryout day around the NFL. Even with the regular team off for a scheduled day of rest, teams bring in free agents to audition for the team.

The Detroit Lions found a successful audition this week. After trying out two defensive backs, the Lions signed cornerback Jarren Williams to the team’s practice squad. Detroit also worked out CB Chris Wilcox.

Williams is in his third NFL season after joining the Cardinals as an undrafted free agent out of Albany back in 2020. He’s spent the bulk of his career with the New York Giants, playing in eight games over two seasons and starting two in 2021. The 5-foot-10 Williams has recorded 18 career tackles and one PD.

To make room on the practice squad for Williams, the Lions released rookie WR Josh Johnson.

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Giants waive DB Jarren Williams off of injured reserve

The New York Giants have agreed to an injury settlement with DB Jarren Williams and waived him off of IR.

The New York Giants have waived defensive back Jarren Williams off of injured reserve with an injury settlement.

The 25-year-old Williams, who originally signed with the Arizona Cardinals as an undrafted rookie out of Albany in 2020 before joining the Giants, had been converted to safety this offseason. However, he landed on IR earlier this month with a hamstring injury.

Following the injury settlement, Williams can not re-sign with the Giants until after the term of the settlement (however many weeks they agreed upon) plus three additional weeks.

Williams is, however, free to sign with other teams pending a passed physical.

In eight career games with the Giants, Williams recorded 19 tackles (15 solo) and one pass defensed. He earned a 71.1 Pro Football Focus grade last season.

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Giants sign Jarrod Wilson, waive Jarren Williams

The New York Giants have signed safety Jarrod Wilson and waived DB Jarren Williams with an injury designation.

The New York Giants, upon getting the news of rookie safety Dane Belton’s collarbone injury, inked veteran defensive back Jarrod Wilson to help fill the void.

To make room for Wilson, defensive back Jarren Williams (hamstring) was waived/injured.

From the Giants:

Wilson, 28, is a 6-1, 209-pounder who played his first five years for the Jacksonville Jaguars and split the 2021 season between the Jets and San Francisco 49ers. He has played in 84 regular-season games with 33 starts and played in four postseason games, including three for the Jaguars in 2017, when they advanced to the AFC Championship Game.

Wilson’s career totals include 176 tackles (126 solo), 12 tackles for loss, three interceptions, nine passes defensed, 1.0 sack, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery. In the playoffs, he has two passes defensed.

Wilson was an undrafted free agent out of Michigan back in 2016 and should provide the Giants with some much-needed on-field experience and depth at the safety position.

They currently have just third-year player Xavier McKinney and the versatile Julian Love at the safety position. They recently signed Andrew Adams, a former Giant who has spent the past few seasons with Tampa Bay.

Belton is not expected back for the start of the regular season and will likely miss the first four games.

In addition to Wilson, the Giants also worked out defensive back Rodney Clemons.

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Giants training camp: 8 takeaways from Day 5

The New York Giants returned to practice on Monday — this time with pads on — and here are 8 quick takeaways from the day’s action.

The New York Giants returned to practice on Monday as the second week of training camp got underway. And for the Giants, it will also be the final week without football until next year.

As they traditionally do, things kicked off with head coach Brian Daboll conducting his daily press conference. He put a bow on the team’s first week and then began outlining what lay ahead.

Here are eight quick takeaways from Day 5 of practice.

2022 Giants training camp preview: Safety

The New York Giants are going to look very different (and somewhat thin) at safety in 2022.

The New York Giants are entering a new era at safety in 2022 after parting ways with last year’s two starters — Jabrill Peppers and Logan Ryan.

New defensive coordinator Wink Martindale likes to use his safeties in pressure packages and they are expected to be very aggressive in the new scheme.

The unit is coached by Jerome Henderson and Mike Treier, holdovers from Joe Judge’s staff.

Here’s a quick rundown of the key names to know at safety heading into training camp.

Giants convert Jarren Williams to safety

The New York Giants have converted Jarren Williams to safety and Jerome Henderson believes it will serve him well.

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The New York Giants’ secondary is in flux after a flurry of moves this offseason that left them thin and inexperienced, especially at safety.

They currently have Xavier McKinney and Julian Love penciled in as their starters and added Iowa’s Dane Belton via the NFL draft this year but are seeking some more delta at the positions.

Enter Jarren Williams, a backup cornerback who will be tried at safety this summer. It is no reflection on his ability to play cornerback, however.

“I don’t think it’s disrespect at all,” Williams told the New York Post this month. “It’s a great opportunity. I’m really excited, gonna keep learning the position, take the teaching, take the coaching and I think it’s gonna be good for me, for real.”

The 24-year-old Williams, a practice squad player mainly last year who came out of small St. Francis (PA), is gaining the respect and confidence of the coaching staff, most notably secondary coach Jerome Henderson.

“He’s a physical guy at corner,” Henderson said. “I thought as a corner he tackled like a safety and I thought him playing safety would give us some extra athleticism back there. I like his skill set back there. He’s a young developing player that I can see having a really bright future in this league so I’m just excited to see how he grows.”

The Giants have been seeking answered this offseason. Perhaps this one will come from within their own building.

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