The Lions practice squad strategy is a reflection of Dan Campbell’s roster vision, and he’s proud of it
All NFL teams carry a 53-man active roster. Teams also get a 16-person practice squad, which can serve in a variety of capacities depending on the team.
For Dan Campbell and the Detroit Lions, that practice squad is effectively an extension of the 53-man roster. The Lions routinely elevate players from the practice squad to the active roster for games, and have liberally utilized the practice squad to bolster depth with veterans.
Several times over the years, Campbell has indicated that he considers those vets on the practice squad as being on the actual roster. He reinforced that view on Sunday.
With the Lions adding veteran safety Jamal Adams to the practice squad and signing three vets off other teams’ squads to fill out Detroit’s injury-ravaged defense, Campbell put the Lions money where his mouth is on the practice squad front.
“We say it every year but they’re an extension of the roster. They really are a part of the roster,” Campbell said emphatically. “It’s just a different way to get them on your team because you’re going to need them, you’re going to have to use them, and I think having the right balance of vets who have been able to – they’ve played in this league, they understand it, it’s not too big for them, plug and play, serve a role, a purpose, you know exactly what they can do, and you appreciate that about them. I think it’s big.”
Detroit’s practice squad composition reflects Campbell’s attitude toward the unit. It’s stocked with veterans like Adams and fellow safety Kaevon Merriweather, wide receivers Donovan Peoples-Jones and Tom Kennedy, offensive tackle Jamarco Jones and tight end James Mitchell — all who have years of NFL experience.
Many teams use the practice squad more as a developmental tool for younger players. The Lions have some of that, too. Undrafted rookies Isaac Ukwu, Kinglsey Eguakun and Morice Norris are learning and growing with every practice. But that’s quite divergent from other teams who use the practice squad as a repository for unproven and developmental players. As an example, the Packers have 11 rookies on their practice squad and just one player who was in the NFL before 2022 amongst their 16-man unit.
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