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5 free agents the Lions can sign to withstand their barrage of injuries

cory woodroof
·3-min read

The Detroit Lions entered the month of December as the best team in football, but injuries have besieged the NFC's biggest Super Bowl contender.

Just on Sunday, the team reportedly lost defensive tackle Alim McNeill for the year to an ACL tear and cornerback Carlton Davis for six weeks with a broken jaw. Running back David Montgomery might be lost for the year with a reportedly torn MCL, and cornerback Khalil Dorsey reportedly fractured his leg.

These injured Lions will join the likes of Detroit players on injured reserve like defensive ends Aidan Hutchinson, John Cominsky and Marcus Davenport, linebackers Jalen Reeves-Maybin, Alex Anzalone, Malcolm Rodriguez and Derrick Barnes, wide receiver Kalif Raymond, cornerback Ennis Rakestraw Jr., defensive tackles Mekhi Wingo and Kyle Peko and safety Ifeatu Melifonwu, among others.

The snakebit Lions are going to have to consider outside help to buffet some of these losses with a Super Bowl still plainly in sight. Here are five guys who should be able to help right away.

1. Sign RB Latavius Murray to the 53-man roster

Buffalo Bills running back Latavius Murray (28) ran for 68 yards and a touchdown against the Broncos.
Buffalo Bills running back Latavius Murray (28) ran for 68 yards and a touchdown against the Broncos.

Murray played last season for the Buffalo Bills, rushing for 300 yards and four touchdowns. If he's ready to play, the Lions should get him in immediately. He is exactly the kind of complimentary back that could take snaps for Jahmyr Gibbs and help this team in January when it matters the most.

2. Bring back CB Jerry Jacobs to the 53-man roster

Jul 12, 2023; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Detroit Lions cornerback Jerry Jacobs arrives on the red carpet before the 2023 ESPYS at the Dolby Theatre. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports ORG XMIT: IMAGN-713671 ORIG FILE ID: 20230712_lbm_al2_025.JPG
Jul 12, 2023; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Detroit Lions cornerback Jerry Jacobs arrives on the red carpet before the 2023 ESPYS at the Dolby Theatre. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports ORG XMIT: IMAGN-713671 ORIG FILE ID: 20230712_lbm_al2_025.JPG

The Lions have a former Detroit starting cornerback available to them in Jacobs, who played for the franchise from 2021-23. For a suddenly thin secondary, Jacobs has plenty of experience in Aaron Glenn's scheme and showed he can be a serviceable starter. This is a no-brainer for Detroit.

3. Sign DT Lawrence Guy to the practice squad

Foxboro, MA, Oct25, 2020 - Patriots linebacker Lawrence Guy pulls down 49er QB Jimmy Garoppolo for a loss in the first half. Coming in on the play is Pats Ja'Whaun Bentley on the right. The New England Patriots vs. the San Francisco 49ers at Gillette Stadium. [The Providence Journal / Kris Craig] Ripro 102620 Sp Patriots 05
Foxboro, MA, Oct25, 2020 - Patriots linebacker Lawrence Guy pulls down 49er QB Jimmy Garoppolo for a loss in the first half. Coming in on the play is Pats Ja'Whaun Bentley on the right. The New England Patriots vs. the San Francisco 49ers at Gillette Stadium. [The Providence Journal / Kris Craig] Ripro 102620 Sp Patriots 05

Guy is a grizzled NFL veteran who can fill in as depth for Detroit going down the stretch. The team has some solid in-house options to take McNeill's snaps, but Guy has Super Bowl experience from his days with the New England Patriots. He's versatile and experienced. Why not bring him in?

4. Sign CB Patrick Peterson to the practice squad

ATLANTA, GEORGIA - AUGUST 24: Patrick Peterson #20 of the Pittsburgh Steelers looks on during the second half of a preseason game against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on August 24, 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - AUGUST 24: Patrick Peterson #20 of the Pittsburgh Steelers looks on during the second half of a preseason game against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on August 24, 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)

Peterson is a future NFL Hall of Famer who hasn't yet retired and is available for a playoff run. He spent last season with the Pittsburgh Steelers, and it's not impossible to see a contending team like Detroit give Peterson a call and see if he'd be willing to help out during a championship run. He could sign with the practice squad and get up to speed from there. For the secondary injuries that the Lions have, signing Jacobs and Peterson would be as good a solution as you could ask for.

5. Sign WR Odell Beckham Jr. to the practice squad

MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - NOVEMBER 24: Odell Beckham Jr. #3 of the Miami Dolphins warms up prior to the game against the New England Patriots at Hard Rock Stadium on November 24, 2024 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - NOVEMBER 24: Odell Beckham Jr. #3 of the Miami Dolphins warms up prior to the game against the New England Patriots at Hard Rock Stadium on November 24, 2024 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)

This is just for the heck of it. Losing Montgomery is going to limit the Lions' run game, so having as explosive a passing unit as you can have will be paramount. Beckham might still have some gas left in the talk to help a team like Detroit, and the proven veteran depth at your disposal would be huge in and of itself if injury further strikes the Lions' offense. This is a low-risk, high-reward move.

This article originally appeared on For The Win: 5 free agents the Lions can sign to withstand their barrage of injuries