The Detroit Lions made a few roster moves the day before the Week 1 opener at Ford Field against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Most notable is moving defensive tackle Levi Onwuzurike to the injured reserve list. Onwuzurike has not practiced in over a month with a back and hip injury, one that head coach Dan Campbell labeled a “snail’s pace” of a recovery. He had been ruled out for Sunday’s game on the final injury report for the week.
In addition to shelving Onwuzurike through at least the next four weeks, the Lions also promoted two players from the practice squad to the active roster for the game versus the Eagles. Running back Justin Jackson and linebacker Anthony Pittman earned the call-up.
Each player can be elevated for a game from the practice squad up to three times before the team is required to sign them to the active roster.
#Lions announce roster moves:
Elevated RB Justin Jackson and LB Anthony Pittman from the Practice Squad to the Active/Inactive list
Placed DL Levi Onwuzurike on Reserve/Injured
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) September 10, 2022
Jackson could very well serve as the kick returner for the game. Pittman has been a special teams fixture in his prior Lions seasons and that could carry into Sunday if he’s not placed on the inactive list.
