Deciphering Detroit Lions' slew of Saturday transactions

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Chicago — The Detroit Lions made a slew of moves on Saturday, activating defensive back Ifeatu Melifonwu off injured reserve, signing three players off the team’s practice squad, temporarily elevating two more from the unit, and waiving three, including one off injured reserve.

Let’s break down what the moves mean.

Activating Melifonwu

Lions coach Dan Campbell had left the door open for Melifonwu to be activated off injured reserve on Friday, despite the defender only getting three days of practice after having his clock started earlier in the week.

“So much of this was about getting his legs back under him, getting him comfortable this week,” Campbell said. We’re not closed to (activating him), I’m not closed to that. He’s gotten a little better every day and he’ll go out there today and practice and we’re working him in some stuff, just (to) see where he’s at.”

Because the Lions still had another two weeks until they needed to make the decision points to Melifonwu being part of the game-day roster on Sunday. How many snaps he gets remains to be seen, but given the team opted not to elevate Jamal Adams off the practice squad a third straight week, you can anticipate at least a handful of defensive snaps for Melifonwu.

Elevating Loren Strickland and waiving Brandon Joseph

With Melifonwu back in the fold, he becomes the No. 3 safety behind starters Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph. That requires No. 4 on the depth chart to be a key special teams contributor. Saturday's moves point to the Lions valuing the rookie Strickland more than Brandon Joseph in this role.

The release also points to Branch -- questionable with a calf strain -- being good to go for Sunday’s game against Chicago.

Strickland has appeared in six games for the Lions this season, averaging 11.8 special teams snaps in those contests. Brandon Joseph, meanwhile, has averaged 6.9 special teams snaps in 14 games.

Additionally, Strickland can provide some depth in the slot if the Lions opt to shift Amik Robertson to the outside to address the loss of Carlton Davis III.

6 p.m. update: Sports Illustrated is reporting Brandon Joseph was taken into custody and released by Dearborn Heights police Saturday morning. A spokesperson for the department didn’t share the reason for the detainment.

Signing Tom Kennedy and waiving Maurice Alexander

This receiver swap likely suggests the Lions feel better about Kennedy as their punt returner for the next couple of games while Kalif Raymond continues to recover from the foot injury he suffered in November.

The Lions should also feel more comfortable using Kennedy on offense if needed, given his ability to replicate much of Raymond's skill set and versatility.

Signing Chris Smith and Mitchell Agude

Smith, the second-year defensive tackle, gives the team extra depth along the interior of the defensive line after Alim McNeill was lost for the season in last weekend’s game against Buffalo.

Signed as an undrafted rookie out of Notre Dame last year, Smith made his pro debut in this year’s season opener. He’s appeared in two games, logging 18 defensive snaps and two tackles.

As for Agude, it provides Detroit a little more edge depth with Levi Onwuzurike, Jonah Williams and Al-Quadin Muhammad potentially needing to adjust their roles along the front to compensate for the loss of McNeill.

Agude, who spent the better part of two years on Detroit’s practice squad, debuted against Green Bay earlier this month, seeing nine snaps on defense and 13 on special teams.

Elevating Jermar Jefferson

The Lions haven’t hidden their intention to give Jefferson — a seventh-round pick in 2021 — an opportunity to help pick up some of the slack with David Montgomery on the shelf.

“I think that’s a big reason why you get into this business to start with is to see growth and guys grow as players, as people, and then eventually get an opportunity to play and that’s what you’ve seen from him,” offensive coordinator Ben Johnson said. “He is a guy that has matured so much from the moment he got in the building, and he’s taken some lumps and been cut and brought back and this, that and the other. He’s really deserving of a chance here this week to show what he’s made out of.

“He’s almost like a silent assassin,” Johnson said. “He goes about his business, he’s coming in, he’s working, don’t even hear a peep from him in the unit meetings, but you know when you’re watching him on scout team and how he’s going about his job, he’s taking it very seriously. He’s very professional and I’m looking forward to him getting a chance this week.”

It's been three years since Jefferson appeared in a regular season game.

Lions waive/injured David Bada

Lions fans didn’t get a chance to know Bada, a German defensive tackle who joined the team as part of the NFL’s International Pathway Program. He suffered a season-ending Achilles injury in the preseason opener against the New York Giants.

Montgomery avoids injured reserve

It’s still possible Montgomery won’t play again this season, but the Lions aren’t closing the door on the veteran back after additional medical opinions offered an optimistic rehab outlook with his injured knee.