Lions sign Bachie to active roster, re-add two recently released players to practice squad

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Allen Park — The Detroit Lions filled one of two roster vacancies on Monday, signing veteran linebacker Joe Bachie off the team’s practice squad.

Bachie, a former Michigan State standout, signed with the Lions as a free agent in late April. In the preseason, he logged 67 defensive snaps, including a start in the finale, finishing with three tackles. He also added a pair of special teams stops to his stat line.

As an undrafted rookie in 2020, Bachie briefly overlapped with Lions coach Dan Campbell in New Orleans. Late last month, Campbell was asked about Bachie.

“(He’s) exactly what he was when he was coming out,” Campbell said. “Just a smart, crafty, all-out linebacker. (He) can play all the spots as needed and special teams. And he just has picked up where he left off from when I remember him. I mean, that's what he's been in this league. He's walked in the door and he's got a great grasp of this defense right now. …And he can play on special teams and do anything that (Lions Special Teams coordinator Dave) Fipp's asked him to do. So, he's pretty dependable. He's reliable and he's made plays in camp.”

Bachie gives the Lions an extra body in the linebacking room, particularly with his special teams contributions, while rookie Jimmy Rolder finishes rehabbing a hamstring injury he suffered early in training camp.

In addition to signing Batchie to the active roster, the team also re-added center Seth McLaughlin and running back Jabari Small to the team’s practice squad. Both made the team’s initial 53-man roster, but were waived a few days later, after recovering from minor injuries that would have otherwise required an injury settlement and prevented them from immediately re-signing to the practice squad.

To clear the additional spot on the practice squad, the Lions placed offensive lineman Mason Miller on injured reserve with an undisclosed ailment.

The second-year man out of North Dakota State fully transitioned from offensive tackle to guard this offseason and even showcased an ability to handle center when injuries forced him into the snapping role for the preseason finale.