The Detroit Lions announced they have signed running back Wes Hills to their practice squad and released EDGE Eric Lee in a corresponding move.
Hills began his college career at Deleware, started as a sophomore and was a team captain in his junior and senior seasons, but both were cut short due to injury. He transferred to Slippery Rock in 2018 where, in his final collegiate year, he ran for 1,714 yards and 17 touchdowns, while also catching 28 passes for 193 yards.
He accepted an invitation to the NFLPA Bowl and was voted MVP, earning him an invite to the Senior Bowl. Unfortunately, he was injured in practice during the week and that kept him from participating in the game and at the NFL Combine — so we have no athletic testing numbers.
“Long-legged runner with NFL size who lacks functional quickness, speed and durability,” NFL.com’s Lance Zeirlein said in Hills’ NFL Draft profile. “Hills missed almost 15 full games from 2015-2016 and then missed all of 2017 due to academics. His biggest season came against a much lower level of competition across from him at age 23. His running style is hindered a little bit by the option attack and off-set positioning his team him in. He may benefit if an NFL team allows him to play downhill from single-setback in camp.”
Lee being released is a bit of a surprise as he has shown well during his time with the Lions, but this is the third defensive lineman released from the practice squad in the past two weeks, indicating the team may be getting healthier in this area.
