Detroit Lions fill Davenport's roster spot with TE Dwelley; add veteran defensive lineman to practice squad

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Allen Park — After spending one week on the practice squad, the Detroit Lions added tight end Ross Dwelley to the active roster on Wednesday. He backfills an opening created when the team placed defensive end Marcus Davenport on injured reserve earlier in the week.

Undrafted out of San Diego in 2018, Dwelley has appeared in 102 games, primarily for the San Francisco 49ers, where he played from 2018-2023. He spent last season with the Atlanta Falcons.

Dwelley, primarily known for his blocking and special teams contributions, has logged more than 1,200 snaps on both offensive and special teams during his career.

Temporarily elevated for the Lions for Monday’s matchup against Baltimore, Dwelley got 12 snaps on special teams and four on offense, where he aligned either attached to the offensive tackle or in the backfield.

Dwelley effectively replaces Shane Zylstra, who was placed on injured reserve with what the team initially reported as an ankle injury. It’s unclear if he’ll be physically able to return from the injury. Regardless, he’s not eligible to be activated until the team’s Oct. 20 matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

In addition to Dwelley’s promotion, the Lions added veteran defensive lineman Quinton Jefferson to the practice squad.

Jefferson, 32, was a fifth-round draft pick in 2016. The 6-foot-4, 290-pounder has played in 115 games, including 62 starts, for five franchises. He was most recently with Buffalo, his second stint with the franchise.

Throughout his career, Jefferson has showcased the versatility the Lions like with their backup defensive linemen, splitting time between playing inside and along the edge.