The Detroit Lions have elected to only protect tight end Isaac Nauta and cornerback Dee Virgin in Week 8, mirroring a pattern they established at the beginning of the season. The duo was also protected in Week 7.
It’s another week where the team could have protected more but chose only to keep Nauta and Virgin from the potential of being signed away by another team.
One note on Nauta: he cannot be elevated to the active roster on game day again this year. The NFL limits a player to just two games where they are elevated from the practice squad. If the Lions want Nauta to play, they will need to sign him to the active roster and make a corresponding move. The team clearly values Nauta’s presence, but he won’t play again unless he’s signed to the active 53-man roster.
