The Detroit Lions announced that they have activated safety Jamal Adams from the practice squad against the Green Bay Packers for their Thursday Night Football matchup. Adams, a three-time All-Pro, was signed by the team on Sunday after being granted a release from the Tennessee Titans on October 17th. Adams played three games this year for the Titans, including one against the Packers, before being laid on the reserve/non-football injury list and asking for his release.

Here’s the interesting part: It doesn’t look like Adams is going to be playing safety for the Lions. Instead, he’s going to be playing linebacker, where Detroit now has four contributors on the injured reserve in Alex Anzalone, Jalen Reeves-Maybin, Derrick Barnes and Malcolm Rodriguez.

Desperation has set in for the Lions at linebacker, where David Long Jr. and Kwon Alexander — two other midseason pickups — are also expected to fill in opposite of 2023 first-round pick Jack Campbell. At just 213 pounds, Adams was seen practicing with the linebacker group this week when the media was allowed to watch portions of an open practice.

Who will be playing in front of that banged-up linebacker unit? I’m glad you asked. Defensive linemen Aidan Hutchinson, Marcus Davenport, David Bada, Nate Lynn, John Cominsky, Mekhi Wingo and Kyle Peko are all on the injured reserve. On top of that, fellow defensive linemen DJ Reader, Josh Paschal and Levi Onwuzurike have already been ruled out for injury. In total, the Lions will be out 10 defensive linemen and 4 linebackers in their front seven, which is how we get to Adams being activated for a game out of position off of one week of practice.

Do I need to spell the gameplan out for you? Run. The. Ball.