The Detroit Lions used a roster opening to make a move at linebacker, not cornerback, and the addition comes with plenty of NFL mileage.
According to sports agency EnterSports Management, Detroit has agreed to terms with Troy Reeder ahead of training camp. The Lions had a vacancy after waiving Teriron Arnold, but chose to bring in a veteran linebacker instead of another defensive back.
Reeder entered the league in 2019 as an undrafted free agent with the Los Angeles Rams. That connection matters here: Lions general manager Brad Holmes was the Rams’ director of college scouting at the time, so he likely knows exactly what kind of player and person Reeder is.
Since then, Reeder has built a career around special teams work. He made the Rams’ roster as a rookie and played in all 16 games, including eight starts.
Over the next two seasons, he stayed on the field every week and added 17 more starts. He was also part of the Rams’ Super Bowl-winning 2021 team.
After that, Reeder bounced from the Chargers to the Vikings and then returned to the Rams for the past three seasons. Last year, he appeared in every game for Los Angeles again, but his role was almost entirely on special teams, with 328 special teams snaps and 81 defensive snaps.
Across his career, Reeder has totaled 1,750 special teams snaps and 2,109 defensive snaps in 106 game appearances and 38 starts. He stands 6-foot-3 and weighs 234 pounds, which makes him a little light for a traditional linebacker, but his athletic profile has made him a strong special teams player and a usable coverage defender.
In Detroit, he has a legitimate path to the roster. Jack Campbell, Derrick Barnes, Malcolm Rodriguez, and rookie Jimmy Rolder are likely the top four linebackers, which leaves Reeder in the mix with Trevor Nowaske and Damone Clark for a reserve role and special teams duty.
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