BREAKING: Detroit Lions signing familiar WR to practice squad

Last week, the Detroit Lions had to do some roster maneuvering, and it ended up costing them rookie wide receiver Isaiah Williams, who was waived and then claimed by the Cincinnati Bengals before Detroit had a chance to re-sign him onto the practice squad.

On Tuesday, the Lions brought in a new receiver to help compensate for the loss. Per Aaron Wilson, Detroit is signing Maurice Alexander to their practice squad.

Alexander has been on and off the Lions for the past two seasons, even making four game appearances for the team in 2022, primarily as the squad’s kick returner. In those games, he averaged a respectable 24.3 yards per return. Alexander was part of the Lions’ receiver competition this offseason, but he failed to make the 53-man roster and did not re-sign to the practice squad. Since then, he has not been signed by any other team, either.

In other roster moves, the Lions announced on Monday that they have waived linebacker Abraham Beauplan. Beauplan signed to the active roster on Saturday, giving the Lions an emergency linebacker option with both Malcolm Rodriguez and Jalen Reeves-Maybin declared out for the Texans game on Sunday. Beauplan played in 11 special teams snaps. It’s reasonable to think he could be re-signed to Detroit’s practice squad, and hopefully, his cutting from the 53-man roster is a sign Rodriguez could return this week after missing the past two games with an ankle injury.

That leaves the Lions with two open spots on the practice squad and one on the 53-man roster. It’s worth noting that Isaiah Thomas, who was waived Thursday, cleared waivers on Monday, and it’s likely Beauplan will on Tuesday. It’s quite possible both return to the practice squad.

As for the remaining spot on the 53-man roster, consider that Detroit has several players currently on injured reserve who have already returned to practice and could be activated to the 53-man roster. That includes defensive tackle Brodric Martin, cornerback Emmanuel Moseley, and safety Ifeatu Melifonwu.