The Detroit Lions made a move on their practice squad this week, and while it might look routine on the surface, there’s a little more to unpack beneath the transaction wire.
The Tennessee Titans signed defensive back Erick Hallett off Detroit’s practice squad - a notable loss for a Lions secondary that’s been patching things together on the fly. Hallett, after all, just started Sunday’s game against the Rams at safety, and he didn’t exactly look like a guy pulled off the practice squad.
He logged 55 snaps, racked up 10 tackles, and broke up a pass while lining up next to veteran Avonte Maddox. That’s a solid day’s work for a player who was on the fringe of the roster just a few weeks ago.
Hallett’s opportunity came out of necessity. The Lions have been thin at safety, with Brian Branch on injured reserve, Kerby Joseph still dealing with a knee issue, and Thomas Harper in concussion protocol.
That trio of injuries opened the door for Hallett - a 2023 sixth-round pick by the Jaguars - to see real action for the first time in his NFL career. He’s played in three games for Detroit this season, but Sunday was his most significant contribution yet.
Now, he’s headed to Tennessee.
When a player is signed off a practice squad, the original team can choose to promote him to their own 53-man roster to keep him. In this case, the Lions didn’t do that.
That decision could be telling - possibly hinting that Harper is trending toward a return, or that the team feels confident with its recent reinforcements. Detroit recently claimed veteran Jalen Mills off waivers and added Damontae Kazee to the practice squad.
Both bring experience and versatility to a secondary that’s been forced to adapt on the fly this season.
To fill the vacancy left by Hallett, the Lions signed cornerback Keenan Garber to the practice squad. Garber’s a rookie who’s bounced around a bit in 2025, spending time with both the Vikings and Colts. He didn’t make Minnesota’s roster out of camp, then caught on briefly with Indianapolis before being released in late October.
At 6 feet, 188 pounds, Garber brings solid size and athleticism. He was a two-year starter at Kansas State, where he showed some playmaking ability - 11 passes defended, two interceptions, and 51 tackles over his college career. He’s still raw, but there’s enough there for the Lions to take a closer look, especially with the secondary still in flux.
Bottom line: the Lions lost a player who stepped up when called upon, but they’re betting on depth, health, and a few new faces to carry them forward. With the postseason push heating up, every roster move matters - even the ones that start on the practice squad.