Detroit Lions Make Roster Moves Ahead of Week 7 Clash with Minnesota Vikings
Ahead of their Week 7 matchup against the Minnesota Vikings, the Detroit Lions have made several key roster adjustments. The most notable addition is the promotion of veteran defensive end Pat O’Connor from the practice squad to the active 53-man roster. O’Connor, who was originally drafted by the Lions in the seventh round of the 2017 NFL Draft, will make his long-awaited Detroit debut.
Although O’Connor didn’t initially secure a spot on the Lions’ roster back in 2017, he found success with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, where he had a lengthy stint. Detroit brought him back during the offseason, and he has spent the season so far on the team’s practice squad. Standing at 6-foot-4 and weighing 270 pounds, O’Connor’s size makes him a valuable addition to the Lions’ defensive line, especially as they deal with injuries to key players like Marcus Davenport and Aidan Hutchinson.
In addition to O’Connor’s promotion, the Lions elevated two more players from the practice squad for Sunday’s game: tight end Shane Zylstra and EDGE Isaac Ukwu. This marks Ukwu’s second consecutive week being called up to the active roster. The undrafted rookie from Ole Miss has been a valuable presence for the team, and his return to the roster signals Detroit’s need for depth on the edge.
Shane Zylstra’s promotion, however, comes as a bit of a surprise. The tight end hasn’t played in a game since 2022 due to a serious injury he sustained during training camp in 2023. Given that the Lions already have three tight ends on their active roster, Zylstra’s elevation suggests Detroit may be looking for added versatility or depth at the position for the matchup against the Vikings.
Interestingly, some fans and analysts expected defensive tackle Chris Smith to be called up for this game after DT Kyle Peko was ruled out for the season. However, the Lions opted not to elevate Smith, which leaves questions about how they plan to manage the interior defensive line against Minnesota.
With these roster changes, the Lions are looking to bolster their depth and prepare for a critical divisional matchup against a tough Vikings team.