The Lions made a three-part move at linebacker on Wednesday, bringing Joe Bachie up from the practice squad, adding K.J. Britt from the Patriots’ practice squad to the active roster, and signing Owen Pappoe to the practice squad.
Detroit didn’t need to clear space to make it happen. The team already created two openings on its 53-man roster Tuesday when it put rookie linebacker Jimmy Rolder on injured reserve and waived rookie safety Bishop Fitzgerald. Bachie’s move up from the practice squad then freed a spot for Pappoe.
Bachie has been part of the Lions’ mix since April, giving them a veteran presence at MIKE linebacker and on special teams through training camp. He did enough in the preseason to stay in the conversation for a roster spot, and after Detroit cut him, the team brought him back to the practice squad the following day.
When Rolder’s injury made it clear he wouldn’t be ready to start the season, the Lions elevated Bachie to the active roster for the first two games. They later released him in late September and re-signed him to the practice squad.
Now, with Bachie back in the fold as the team’s LB7, the Lions are dealing with injuries to Jack Campbell and Rolder, which opens the door for him to take on a bigger role. He should still be a steady presence on special teams, but his experience and ability to handle multiple spots could push him up to LB4 behind Derrick Barnes, Trevor Nowaske, and Malcolm Rodriguez, who are the three presumed starters.
Britt and Pappoe may need some time before they’re fully comfortable in Detroit’s defensive system. Britt, though, brings a track record on special teams, and with the Lions’ habit of dressing six linebackers on game days, he could be active as soon as this Sunday against the Dolphins.
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Bridges has long had the scoring and rebounding production that keeps him in the conversation, with career averages of 16 points and 6 rebounds per game, but the defensive questions have followed him from Charlotte to Phoenix. His recent stint with the Suns has only sharpened that concern, with his play on that end drawing criticism and factoring into a decline in Phoenixs defensive rating, which makes Detroits decision to pass look a little wiser in hindsight. [Read more 🡒]