Allen Park — The Detroit Lions are tweaking the team's roster and practice squad to address a pair of injury concerns that came out of last Sunday's game against the Chicago Bears.
On Tuesday, the team announced tight end Shane Zyltra is heading to injured reserve with an ankle injury that had him in a boot after the contest. He'll be required to miss at least the next four games before he's eligible to return.
Backfilling the spot on the 53-man roster is interior offensive lineman Trystan Colon, the veteran who initially signed with the Lions in the aftermath of Frank Ragnow’s June retirement.
In his sixth season, Colon has appeared in 51 games for the Ravens and Cardinals, making 15 starts. Logging more than 1,000 snaps during his career, he’s seen playing time at center and both guard spots.
Colon missed time at the end of training camp with an elbow injury and was part of the team's final cuts. He has been on Detroit's practice squad since the start of the season.
Colon provides needed insurance along Detroit’s offensive line, with starting left guard Christian Mahogany also battling an injury concern. The second-year man out of Boston College suffered an ankle injury on Sunday. He managed to finish the game, playing 100% of the team’s offensive snaps in the victory.
“Yeah, I think he'll be OK,” coach Dan Campbell said on Monday. “I think he'll be all right. We'll see. He's another one we're checking out.”
To address the depth at tight end with Zylstra shelved, the Lions added former 49ers and Falcons tight end Ross Dwelley to the practice squad. The 30-year-old veteran has extensive NFL experience, playing in more than 100 games during his seven-year career. That includes more than 1,200 snaps on both offense and special teams.
He’ll give the Lions options for a possible game day elevation off the practice squad, along with undrafted rookie Zach Horton, who saw extensive action for the Lions during the preseason.
The Lions also added Malik Cunningham to the practice squad. The former Louisville quarterback has also worked at wide receiver during his brief NFL career.
Cunningham could factor into Detroit’s preparation for this week’s opponent, the Baltimore Ravens. A college and pro teammate of Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson, Cunningham offers the unique ability to simulate Jackson as a scout team quarterback better than most because of his elite speed and familiarity with the former MVP.
To clear room, the Lions had to release veteran linebacker Monty Rice from the practice squad. Signed last week to replace Anthony Pittman, Rice was elevated for Sunday's game against the Bears, helping backfill the absence of Trevor Nowaske (elbow) on special teams.
There’s probably not much to read into Tuesday's moves regarding the status of Marcus Davenport, who was getting additional medical opinions on his injured shoulder this week. Nonetheless, from the no-news-is-good-news department, he wasn’t placed on injured reserve.
If Davenport has to miss any time, the Lions have multiple options to bridge the gap, starting with increasing the workload of Al-Quadian Muhammad and Pat O’Connor. There’s also Tyrus Wheat and Tyler Lacy, two recent waiver claims who haven’t seen defensive snaps during their first two weeks on the roster.
I figured Rice was a goner when he got the penalty on special teams on Sunday. When you are at the bottom of the roster, you cannot afford that.
I’m hopeful (yes, hopeful) for Andre carter. He has all the physical attributes you could want. Maybe this is the change of scenery he needs! 🙏🏿