Tag: Kevin Strong

Former Lions Golden Tate and Kevin Strong sign with Titans practice squad

The Titans made several transactions involving former Lions players on Tuesday

The Tennessee Titans have signed two former Detroit Lions players on Tuesday as part of a flurry of roster moves. Wide receiver Golden Tate and defensive lineman Kevin Strong both joined the Titans’ practice squad.

Tate was not only a fan favorite in Detroit, but also has the seventh-most receiving yards and fifth-most receptions in team history. The Tennessee native joined the Lions as a free agent in 2014 and was a major contributor on offense up until 2018 when he was traded to Philadelphia.

Tate had 416 receptions for 4,741 yards and 22 touchdowns as a Lion and also served as a punt returner and backup running back.

After playing for the Eagles and Giants, Tate failed to sign with another team until now. Hopefully, he can find a career revival with the Titans.

Strong signed with the Lions as an undrafted free agent in 2019 and has spent a majority of his career there either on the practice squad or injured reserve. He was well-liked by coaches in Matt Patricia’s staff and made the 53-man roster as a rookie. Strong played in a total of 15 games for Detroit and recorded 23 tackles and a sack.

Another former Lions player was involved in the Titans’ transactions as well, as running back Adrian Peterson was waived from the active roster.

Lions officially waive Corey Ballentine and Kevin Strong

Both players cleared waivers and Strong could be back with the practice squad soon

Two widely reported Detroit Lions roster moves became official with the expected releases of defensive end Kevin Strong and cornerback/return man Corey Ballentine. The moves appeared on the NFL’s transaction log.

Both Ballentine and Strong were subject to waiver claims for the other 31 NFL teams, though neither was claimed. The Lions can bring them back to the team’s practice squad, and that’s a distinct possibility for Strong. The coaching staff has repeatedly praised the third-year pro throughout the summer.

A stint on injured reserve with a thigh wound slowed Strong’s progress. Both players were activated from the IR in the last two weeks prior to being waived.

Strong paid his respect to the Lions in a social media post.

Lions inactives for Week 10 include new WR Josh Reynolds

Reynolds won’t make his Lions debut for another week.

Detroit Lions fans will have to wait a little longer before watching Josh Reynolds in the Honolulu blue and silver. The new wide receiver is among the inactive players for the Week 10 matchup with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Reynolds was claimed off waivers this week and practiced for a couple of days, but he didn’t absorb enough of the offense in his crash course to earn the immediate trust of head coach Dan Campbell. He joins injured RB Jamaal Williams as offensive players who will not suit up against Pittsburgh.

On defense, DE Kevin Strong will also wait another week. Strong was activated off IR over the bye week but remains inactive. OLBs Jessie Lemonier and Austin Bryant are also inactive on the defense.

Lions activate LT Taylor Decker and DE Kevin Strong from injured reserve

The Lions have activated LT Taylor Decker and DE Kevin Strong from injured reserve

It wasn’t the anticipated news release at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, the NFL’s trade deadline, but the Detroit Lions did make a couple of roster moves announced at that witching hour. The Lions have activated left tackle Taylor Decker and defensive end Kevin Strong from the injured reserve list.

Both Decker and Strong were designated to return from IR three weeks ago. Decker has missed the first eight games with a finger injury suffered in the final practice before the season opener. Strong has been sidelined with a concussion and then a thigh injury. Both needed to be activated before the 21-day mark or else they would have reverted to IR for the rest of the season.

Decker suffered a setback after his initial practice sessions with the team upon being designated for return, and Lions head coach Dan Campbell indicated there was potential that the veteran LT could be lost for the season. He did not participate in any practices leading into the Week 8 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. But the Lions have seen enough to bring back the longest-tenured member of the team for the final nine games.

The Lions waived rookie OL Tommy Kraemer to create one roster spot. They previously had another spot open after placing OL Logan Stenberg on IR last week.

Taylor Decker, Kevin Strong designated for return from the Lions IR list

It’s the first step into getting Decker and Strong back onto the field in Detroit

The first step in getting Taylor Decker onto the field in Detroit in 2021 came on Wednesday. The Lions designated the injured left tackle for return from the injured reserve list.

Decker and defensive end Kevin Strong were each designated to return by the Lions. The team has 21 days to determine if they are capable of returning, though either player can be activated and back on the active roster immediately as well. That doesn’t appear to be the case with either player; it seems unlikely either will be on the field in Week 6 for the visit from the Cincinnati Bengals.

Decker did take part in practice on Wednesday, per head coach Dan Campbell. He had a cast on the left hand to protect his injured index finger. Decker has not played in the first five weeks.

“We’ll just see where Decker goes and how he feels and just take it from there,” Campbell said before practice. “But at least we can start working with him, on the field, true football.”

Strong was injured in Week 1 and has been on IR since the following week. He was initially out with a concussion but then injured his thigh and that was the reason for the trip to IR.

Campbell did not offer any more update on Tyrell Williams, who continues to be sidelined with a concussion suffered in Week 1. On Tuesday, Campbell indicated that Williams is not close to returning anytime soon.

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Lions rule out DE Kevin Strong for Week 3

Strong is out with both a thigh injury and a concussion

Defensive end Kevin Strong will not play for the Detroit Lions in Week 3. Initially listed as questionable for Sunday’s game at Ford Field against the Baltimore Ravens, Strong has now been ruled out by the Lions’ medical staff.

Strong also missed Week 2 after suffering a concussion in Week 1. He is also dealing with a thigh injury listed on the report, and that appears to be the reason for his downgraded status.

Rookie Levi Onwuzurike figures to get more reps in Strong’s absence. Veteran Michael Brockers is listed as questionable, so the Lions could be stressed here. As for depth, the Lions do have Bruce Hector on the practice squad available for promotion. Hector plays with a similar style to Strong and had an impressive preseason.

Lions inactives for Week 2: Austin Bryant out, Julian Okwara active

The Detroit Lions and Green Bay Packers released their inactive player lists for Week 2

When the Detroit Lions take to Lambeau Field in their white-on-white uniforms on Monday night, five players will not participate. The Lions released their list of inactive players for the Green Bay game.

Two of the inactives were known heading into the weekend when the Lions ruled out WR Tyrell Williams and DE Kevin Strong with their injuries. they are joined by healthy scratches CB Corey Ballentine, OLB Austin Bryant and RB Jermar Jefferson.

Ballentine was just claimed off waivers this week. Bryant being inactive means OLB Julian Okwara will be in the lineup, a reverse of the status in Week 1.

Green Bay’s inactive, from their website:

81 TE Josiah Deguara
54 LB La’Darius Hamilton
67 OL Jake Hanson
90 DL Jack Heflin
22 CB Shemar Jean-Charles
36 S Vernon Scott

Lions injury update: Tyrell Williams, Kevin Strong ruled out in Week 2

Both Williams and Strong will miss Monday night’s game due to concussions

Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell delivered some unfortunate, but not unexpected, news prior to Saturday’s practice in Allen Park. Starting wide receiver Tyrell Williams and reserve defensive end Kevin Strong will miss the Week 2 trip to Green Bay due to their concussions.

The status of Williams was the first question asked of Campbell in his presser, and he didn’t dodge the inquiry,

“I’d say he’s out. Tyrell is out and so is (Kevin) Strong.”

It’s a blow for the Lions offense, which sorely lacks experience behind Williams. He was injured on an illegal hit in Week 1 after catching two passes for 14 yards.

Strong played well against the 49ers, especially against the run. He figures to be replaced in the rotation by rookie DE Levi Onwuzurike, who was inactive in Week 1 with a hip injury. Onwuzurike was a full participant in practices all week and should be good to go on Monday night.

Lions injury update: 2 players out, 5 limited in Thursday’s practice

Tyrell Williams and Kevin Strong both missed Thursday’s practice with concussions

The Detroit Lions posted their first injury report for the practice week ahead of Monday night’s matchup with the Packers in Green Bay. Two players sat out Thursday’s session, while five other Lions were limited with various injuries.

Both players who were out we’re sidelined with concussions. Wide receiver Tyrell Williams and defensive end Kevin Strong are in the concussion protocol with brain injuries.

The five players who were limited include both starting outside linebackers and the top two running backs. Trey Flowers and Romeo Okwara were each listed with shoulder issues. Defensive end Michael Brockers joined the OLBs as limited, and the veteran is also dealing with a shoulder problem.

The RBs, D’Andre Swift and Jamaal Williams, were limited with a groin and chest injury, respectively.

On a more positive front, DE Levi Onwuzurike was a full participant. He was inactive for the Week 1 game against the 49ers with his ongoing hip injury.

 

Lions roster bubble watch: 5 players who revamped their roster stock

With the final preseason game in the books, the Detroit Lions have tough decisions to make and these 5 players did not make it any easier

Even though the Detroit Lions failed to notch a preseason win after a 27-17 loss to Indianapolis Colts, you can tell this team will give you every ounce they got and fight till the very end.

On Friday night, with the majority of the starters sitting out, it gave roster bubble players a chance to give one final push to try to persuade the coaching staff they deserve a spot on the 53-man roster. With one last opportunity, many players seized that chance to showcase what they can bring to the table.

With some tough decisions ahead for the coaching staff, some players did not make it easy for them. Here are five players who improved their odds after their preseason performance against the Colts.