Lions continue adding veteran safety depth, claiming Mills off waivers from Texans
Allen Park — The Detroit Lions are hoping to get All-Pro Kerby Joseph back sooner rather than later. But after losing Brian Branch to a season-ending Achilles injury last week, and with Thomas Harper working his way through concussion protocol, the team continues to add options to the roster as it determines the best course forward at the safety position.
Days after signing Damontae Kazee to the practice squad, the team added more veteran depth on Wednesday, claiming Jalen Mills off waivers from the Houston Texans.
A former starting cornerback for the Eagles — a five-year stint that included a Super Bowl championship in 2018 — Mills has shown versatility throughout his career. He first worked as a safety for the Eagles during the 2020 season, and reprised the role with the Patriots in 2023.
Mills also played safety for the Jets in 2024 before a clavicle injury prematurely ended his season. He’s spent this year with the Texans, bouncing back and forth between the team’s practice squad and main roster. He’s appeared in just four games, logging 48 defensive snaps.
For his career, Mills, 30, has appeared in 119 contests, including 92 starts. He’s intercepted eight passes and defended 59 overall.
Detroit now has a plethora of options while it navigates its injury situation. Joseph would obviously jump back into a starting role once his balky knee cooperates enough that it holds up through a week of practice. The other spot is likely to be manned by either Harper, who has been starting the past several weeks, or veteran Avonte Maddox, who stepped in to replace Harper after he went out in the first quarter of last Thursday’s game against Dallas.
Additionally, the team has veteran special teamer Daniel Thomas on the 53-man roster and youngsters Erick Hallett and Loren Strickland on the practice squad. All three have seen limited defensive snaps for the Lions this season.
To clear room on the roster, Detroit waived tight end Hayden Rucci, whom they recently claimed off waivers.
The team has yet to put Branch on injured reserve despite the safety already undergoing surgery to repair his Achilles.