The Detroit Lions made several adjustments to their roster this week as they gear up for an important stretch of the 2025 campaign.
On Monday, the team announced that wide receiver Andrew Armstrong has been let go from the practice squad. Armstrong had been developing with the team but hadn’t managed to secure a role that would lead to regular-season snaps.
To bolster depth, Detroit brought in reinforcements on both offense and defense. The Lions added veteran safety Damontae Kazee and defensive lineman Pat O’Connor to the practice squad.
Kazee’s signing was widely expected. With Brian Branch sidelined for the remainder of the year due to a torn Achilles, Detroit needed a seasoned defensive back who could contribute quickly. The 32-year-old Kazee, who has eight seasons of NFL action under his belt, is a strong candidate for promotion to the active roster once he’s up to speed with the defensive scheme led by Kelvin Sheppard.
O’Connor strengthens Detroit’s depth up front and also provides help on special teams—two areas where injuries have taken a toll lately.
These moves aren’t headline-grabbers, but they’re the kind of strategic tweaks teams in the playoff hunt make as December pressure ramps up. The Lions are clearly tightening things up as they push toward the postseason.
