Devin White didn’t need much time to put his stamp on Lions camp.
The newly signed linebacker has arrived in Detroit because of injuries, but his presence has already become part of the conversation in training camp. White was brought in after rookie Jimmy Rolder suffered an injury setback in his first camp, and the Lions wasted no time putting him to work with both the first- and second-team defense.
On the final day of practice before the weekend, White made one of the day’s loudest plays by intercepting Jared Goff. For a defense looking for help in the secondary in 2026, that kind of rep stands out immediately.
White’s résumé still carries weight, even if his peak years are behind him. He posted a team-leading, career-high 174 tackles for the Las Vegas Raiders in 2025, and while he’s a long way from his All-Pro season in 2020 and his last Pro Bowl nod in 2021, he has continued to find ways to be effective as a defender even without piling up turnovers the way he once did.
That matters for Detroit, especially if Derrick Barnes or Malcolm Rodriguez can’t stay healthy. A reliable veteran linebacker changes the math for the whole group, and it gives the Lions a much stronger backup option than the thinner unit they had in 2025.
White also made it clear he was eager to join the team. He told reporters shortly after signing with the squad:
If there’s going to be anyone hungry for winning, it’s going to be the guy who just got off last year’s Raiders team and is headed to Detroit, who might be contenders once again this season if they can fully realize their vision for their offensive line and defensive trenches.
Even if Rolder comes back, White will still be in the mix for snaps alongside Rodriguez. Right now, though, the veteran seems to have the edge, thanks to his experience, his tackling, and, at least for the moment, a little bit of turnover juice too.
In Other News...
Isaac TeSlaa Is Making The Lions WR3 Battle More Interesting
Training camp has already given Isaac TeSlaa a little bit of everything as he tries to carve out a role in Detroits receiver rotation. The rookie has flashed in practice while also working through some growing pains, which is about what you would expect as he adapts to a new offensive system and fights for snaps in a crowded wideout mix.
What makes the Lions WR3 battle worth watching is how TeSlaas skill set seems to fit the direction of the offense under Drew Petzing. The scheme is built around physicality and variety, and TeSlaa has shown enough in camp to suggest he could become more than just a depth option if the consistency follows. [Read more 🡒]
Lions Roster Shakeup Just Changed Detroits Early Camp Picture
The Lions are still in the middle of sorting out their early camp roster, and the latest moves show how quickly depth charts can shift before the first preseason game. Detroit added cornerback Ryan Cooper and linebacker Amen Ogbongbemiga as it looks to stabilize two spots hit by injuries, while also adjusting its tight end group after Tyler Conklin was activated from the PUP list.
To make room, the Lions waived tight end Nick Muse and placed quarterback Teddy Bridgewater on the reserve/retired list, a move tied to his retirement that head coach Dan Campbell confirmed. It is the kind of housekeeping that rarely grabs attention on its own, but it does reflect where the roster stands right now, with Detroit trying to keep enough bodies in place as camp intensifies. [Read more 🡒]
Lions Suddenly Have A Backup QB Problem They Did Not Expect
Teddy Bridgewaters retirement has quickly turned into an unexpected roster wrinkle for the Lions, one that arrives with camp still moving and preseason decisions already stacking up. Detroit confirmed the news through coach Dan Campbell, then placed Bridgewater on the reserve/retired list while continuing to shuffle the back end of the roster with moves involving cornerback Ryan Cooper, linebacker Amen Ogbongbemiga and tight end Nick Muse.
For a team that had Bridgewater penciled in as a reliable insurance policy behind Jared Goff, the timing creates a clear need to act fast. Detroit is expected to add a veteran backup quarterback soon, and with the preseason opener against Cincinnati approaching, the Lions would like that situation settled before the next round of live game reps makes the depth chart even more important. [Read more 🡒]