Lions continue roster adjustments, waiving Strickland and signing veteran CB Fuller to the practice squad

(Getty Images)

Allen Park — A few hours after coach Dan Campbell listed Loren Strickland as a potential answer to veteran safety Brian Branch’s pending suspension, the Lions waived Strickland on Tuesday afternoon.

No corresponding addition was made to the team’s 53-man roster, although the team is expected to activate defensive tackle Alim McNeill from injured reserve this week, ahead of Monday’s matchup with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Detroit did announce a trio of signings to the practice squad, re-adding offensive lineman Kingsley Eguakun and defensive tackle Chris Smith, as well as bringing aboard veteran cornerback Kendall Fuller.

Fuller, the younger brother of former Lions receiver Corey Fuller, was a third-round pick in 2016. In nine seasons, including six with Washington, he’s appeared in 128 games, including 104 starts.

Most recently, Fuller spent the 2024 season with Miami, making 11 starts, while missing time with a pair of concussions. He has experience playing in the slot, but has primarily played outside cornerback since the 2021 season.

The Lions still have several days to sort out their secondary, which will be without Branch, Terrion Arnold, DJ Reed and Avonte Maddox. It’s also possible that the team shuts down Kerby Joseph this week as he continues to push through a nagging knee injury.

Even if Joseph plays, the current roster setup suggests the team is bracing to utilize Rock Ya-Sin at safety, either as a starter or emergency option if Joseph has to exit the game, like he has each of the past two weeks.

Ya-Sin, who has only played cornerback during his career, repped at safety during training camp and the preseason for the Lions this offseason. He would give the team an option more familiar with the scheme and the communication-heavy role in the defense, compared to a roster addition at the position.

The team has until 4 p.m. Monday to continue to tweak the roster. They’ll almost certainly use both of their available practice squad elevations. They could also make more adjustments to the 53-man roster, like they did this past weekend, when they waived Eguakun and Smith to make room for defensive back Erick Hallett, cornerback Nick Whiteside and defensive tackle Quinton Jefferson.