The Detroit Lions came out of the NFL’s waiver period empty-handed, and now the focus shifts to building out the practice squad.
For the second time since Brad Holmes and Dan Campbell took over, Detroit will not be making a waiver claim the day after teams trimmed down to a 53-man roster. According to the NFL’s daily personnel notice, the Lions made no moves during the morning transaction period, and none of the 24 players they waived on Sunday, Aug. 30, were claimed elsewhere.
That stands out a bit against the pattern Detroit has established in recent years. Under Holmes and Campbell, the Lions have often used waivers to patch the back end of the roster after cutdown day.
They were awarded receiver Khadarel Hodge and kicker Austin Seibert in 2021, then added defensive tackle Benito Jones in 2022. They didn’t land anyone in 2023, but still worked to fill open roster spots in each of the next two years.
In 2024, they claimed linebacker Trevor Nowaske, and last year they brought in defensive linemen Tyler Lacy and Tyrus Wheat. Nowaske and Lacy remain with the team.
Across the league, Monday brought plenty of activity. NFL teams made 29 waiver claims in all, and seven clubs landed multiple players.
The Philadelphia Eagles led that group with four, while the Kansas City Chiefs had three. The Dallas Cowboys, Denver Broncos, Carolina Panthers, Indianapolis Colts and San Francisco 49ers each claimed two.
The Miami Dolphins topped the league with seven claims, and the Atlanta Falcons and Tennessee Titans added three players apiece.
With waivers behind them, the Lions can now turn to the practice squad. They are expected to re-sign receiver Lucky Jackson there.
In Other News...
Lions 53-Man Roster Leaves One Big Question Fans Wont Ignore
The Lions initial 53-man roster for 2026 came with a few choices that stood out immediately, starting with a group that looks heavier at running back than most teams would carry and thinner at receiver than fans might have expected. There was also a notable call at tight end, where Jackson Meeks made the cut over Tyler Conklin, while the defensive line leaned toward pass-rushing upside more than brute size. For a roster that usually invites close reading, this one offered plenty to sort through right away.
The biggest thing left hanging is the kind of special-teams detail that can shape a roster spot just as much as any depth-chart battle. With no clear punt returner identified and some players who seemed to have a path to the team ending up on the outside, the Lions may not be done adjusting this group yet. That leaves the final version of the roster still open to a few more changes in the coming days, which is exactly the sort of unfinished business that keeps this time of year interesting. [Read more 🡒]
Lions Still Have One Roster Squeeze To Navigate After Cutdown Day
The Lions got through cutdown day by trimming to their official 53-man roster, but the work is not done yet. With several players out on the NFL waiver wire and the waiver claim deadline looming, Detroit is still sorting through the final layer of roster business that every team has to navigate after the initial cuts are in.
Sitting 17th in the waiver order, the Lions have a chance to make more claims while also trying to keep some familiar faces close if they make it through unclaimed. Cornerback Nick Whiteside is one name the team would like to bring back on the practice squad, and he is not alone. Mason Miller, Luke Altmyer, Tyre West, Lucky Jackson, Dominic Lovett, and Dan Jackson are among the other players Detroit could look to circle back to once the waiver process plays out. [Read more 🡒]
Lions Sent A Clear Message With Their First Practice Squad Choices
The first practice squad move after cutdowns gave a decent read on how the Lions are sorting through the back end of the roster. Detroit kept a number of the waived players who cleared, building out the initial 2026 group with familiar depth and developmental pieces, while also choosing to move on from running back Trayveon Williams rather than circle back with a return to the practice squad.
Luke Altmyer was among the players retained, a sign the Lions want to keep working with the rookie quarterback as he settles in behind the scenes. Altmyer also offered some perspective on the preseason interception he threw, a small reminder that Detroit is still using these early roster decisions to balance short-term depth with longer-term evaluation. [Read more 🡒]