In advance of their 2024 season opener against the Los Angeles Rams, the Detroit Lions made a number of roster changes announcements. Starting in Week 1, the team decided to add wide receiver Tom Kennedy and defensive lineman Kyle Peko from their practice squad to the active roster. As per NFL regulations, teams are only allowed to promote players from their practice squad up to three times before having to sign them to the active roster.

Chris Smith, a defensive lineman from Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood, was also added to the active roster by signing him off the practice squad. Smith is the 53-man roster’s last available spot. Aaron Glenn will be in charge of a number of new players on the Lions’ defense. Dan Campbell and the coaching staff are excited about what the several starters who will be making their Lions debuts will bring.

I’m really, very eager, Campbell exclaimed. “Defensive staff, I know, is quite excited about myself. I am aware of the entire team, the entire squad, and the players in the locker room who play defense; they are prepared to demonstrate the effort and new components that have been introduced, as well as how they all function as a unit.

While adding players to the defensive line and secondary, Detroit left their linebacking corps intact. Marcus Davenport joins the pass-rush, while new players in the secondary include Carlton Davis, Amik Robertson, Terrion Arnold, and Ennis Rakestraw.

After the defense failed tremendously against the pass a season ago, Detroit is hoping these newcomers can help boost the productivity in that area. “I think this D-line can be the engine that we’ve desperately needed and I think they will be,” Campbell added. “Our supporters are all very talented players, and we have their full support.” We’ve done the changes in the backend that, in my opinion, are beneficial to us. I’m eager to see where this game takes me.