Lions make slew of roster moves a day before facing Chiefs, including addition of 3 DBs to Sunday's mix

(Getty Images)

Kansas City, Mo. — Facing significant depth issues, both in the secondary and at offensive tackle, the Detroit Lions made several adjustments to the roster Saturday afternoon, ahead of Sunday’s primetime game with the Kansas City Chiefs.

Earlier in the day, the Detroit Lions downgraded a trio of injured players for Sunday’s matchup. Offensive tackles Taylor Decker (shoulder) and Giovanni Manu (knee), as well as defensive back Avonte Maddox, were all ruled out after entering the weekend as questionable.

Manu, who initially popped up on the injury report after Thursday’s practice, was transferred to injured reserve on Saturday. Coming off his first NFL start in place of Decker a week earlier, Manu will now be sidelined at least the next four games.

With Decker and Manu out, Dan Skipper is expected to get the start at left tackle. The veteran was signed off the team’s practice squad earlier in the week.

On Saturday, he was joined on the main roster by three others signed off the practice squad: Defensive back Erick Hallett, cornerback Nick Whiteside and defensive lineman Quinton Jefferson.

To make room, the Lions had to clear two additional roster spots. They did so by waiving offensive lineman Kingsley Eguakun and defensive tackle Chris Smith. Both had been healthy scratches in recent weeks.

To further add depth along the offensive line and in the secondary, the team also temporarily elevated offensive tackle Devin Cochran and cornerback Arthur Maulet off the practice squad.

Detroit was already coming into this week’s game without the team’s two starting outside cornerbacks. With DJ Reed (hamstring) on injured reserve and Terrion Arnold out with a shoulder injury, Amik Robertson and Rock Ya-Sin are expected to start on the outside.

Maddox, the versatile veteran, had been projected to handle the nickel role. It’s not immediately clear who the next man up is at that spot, but the Lions have multiple options, including late-August waiver claim Thomas Harper, who appeared in 15 games, including five starts, as a rookie with the Raiders last season.

Hallett and Maulet could also be in that mix, despite the latter signing with the Lions earlier this week.

Maddox’s absence also hurts Detroit’s depth at safety, where he had been the first man off the bench. That’s particularly notable this week with the starting tandem of Kerby Joseph and Brian Branch ailing.

Joseph didn’t practice this week due to a lingering knee injury, while Branch is battling an ankle issue that required an MRI this week. Both are listed as questionable for Sunday.