The Detroit Lions have elevated three members of their practice squad for their Week 14 matchup with the Green Bay Packers: Offensive tackle Dan Skipper, defensive end Kareem Martin, and safety/gunner Bobby Price.
Typically, the Lions would only be able to elevate two players under the standard elevation addendum, but with Everson Griffen being placed on the COVID-19 list, the Lions are able to elevate a third player as a replacement.
With Tyrell Crosby being ruled out and Hal Vaitai on injured reserve, the Lions have turned to Matt Nelson at right tackle. With Joe Dahl as the only remaining player with tackle experience on the active roster, Skipper is being elevated as insurance against any further injuries at the position.
With a plethora of injuries amongst the Lions EDGE rushers, Martin is being called up for depth. While Romeo Okwara is healthy, the Lions are down Trey Flowers (IR), Griffen (COVID-19), and Julian Okwara (IR).
When the Lions deploy four down defensive lineman, they will most likely hope to turn to Da’Shawn Hand and/or Austin Bryant opposite Okwara, with Martin potentially being the fourth option. But both Hand and Bryant are listed as questionable this week and neither has played in three games, meaning Martin could find himself on the field fairly quickly.
Because of this uncertainty, the Lions may rely on their linebackers to fill an EDGE role and that would mean leaning on Jahlani Tavai, Christian Jones, and Reggie Ragland at the JACK linebacker role more.
Price was elevated last week and played on 19 special teams snaps, including as a starting gunner. With C.J. Moore questionable after injuring his ankle last week, Price should help soften Moore’s workload.
