The Detroit Lions coach Matt Patricia announced the team has re-signed running back Paul Perkins to the 53-man roster, filling one of the spots vacated by placing Kerryon Johnson on injured reserve. Additionally, the team has also re-signed running back Wes Hills to practice squad.
Promoting Perkins from the practice squad was one of the moves I suggested in my options to replace Johnson during his injury absence article. As I noted in the piece, with the Giants coming to town this Sunday — Perkins’ former team — he is very familiar with their defense and how to run against them. If he were to play well, he could get an extended look beyond this week.
This also doesn’t rule out the Lions from making any additional moves at the position. This running backs group appears far from settled. Currently, they have rookie Ty Johnson who they drafted in the sixth round, and three players they claimed off of waivers — J.D. McKissic, Tra Carson and Perkins.
So far, Johnson and McKissic have proven themselves in this system, but Carson and Perkins have yet to be active for the Lions on game day.
Hills gives the team more youth on the practice field and another in-house running back to get an extended look at.
