The Detroit Lions made a flurry of roster moves in Week 14, adding some depth to their injury-plagued defense and parting ways with a former New York Giants edge rusher who stood out in the preseason.
The Lions cut edge rusher Raymond Johnson from their practice squad this week, according to SI.com’s Christian Booher.
The team added defensive lineman Tyson Alualu and offensive lineman Matt Farniok to their practice squad and placed starting defensive tackle Alim McNeill on injured reserve.
Raymond Johnson Created a Stir During the Preseason
Johnson entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 2021, signing with the Giants. He made the final roster, playing in 15 games and recording four tackles and one sack.
The next year, Johnson joined the Cincinnati Bengals’ practice squad but was released in August as part of the team’s final roster cutdown. Johnson had a “standout” preseason prior to his release, according to Jason Marcum of SB Nation’s Cincy Jungle.
“For his three-game preseason performance this year, Johnson received a 91 from Pro Football Focus.” He concluded the preseason with two sacks and eight total pressures in 54 pass-rushing snaps, making him the Bengals’ most notable player,” Marcum said.
Alim McNeill has been replaced by the Lions.
When the Lions placed McNeill on injured reserve on December 5, they sustained a significant blow. The 23-year-old was having a career year, setting personal marks with five sacks and 31 tackles through the first 12 games.
McNeill switched from nose tackle to 3-tech defensive lineman last season, and he had to undergo a tremendous makeover to accommodate the new position and the quickness it demanded. McNeill shed 13% of his body fat and gained substantial muscle mass throughout the offseason, according to SI.com’s Jeff Risdon in June.
This week, Lions head coach Dan Campbell addressed McNeill’s injury, stating it will be difficult for the squad to compensate for his absence.
“Losing Mac for these four weeks is going to be tough,” Campbell stated, according to the team’s official website. “He’s been a consistent, reliable, and productive player for us.” This year, he’s really come into his own. He’s only gotten bigger every year, but this year he was huge. He was a driving force for us. That hurts because guys have a lot of respect for him. But, at the same time, this train is moving.”
The Lions signed former first-round pick and 13-year veteran Tyson Alualu to their practice squad on Tuesday to reinforce the interior of their defensive line. Alualu, 36, was a first-round choice of the Jaguars in 2010. He spent seven seasons with the Jaguars and six seasons with the Steelers, starting two games. and appearing in all 17 games last season.
Campbell also praised Alualu, a 13-year NFL veteran who joined the practice squad this week.
“He’s a guy who raises the floor.” “He provides stability,” Campbell stated. “So you kinda know what you’re going to get, exactly what you’re going to get, and that makes us feel better.” He’s got some versatility, and he’s a welcome addition to the roster. So, once we feel like, ‘Alright, he’s in game shape,’ or he’s ready to do that, we’ll make a decision. Let us see whether he can assist us.”
The Lions are hoping to see McNeill back on the field before the season ends. According to The Athletic’s Colton Pouncy, the defensive lineman expects to return from his four-week IR term in time for the Week 18 season finale.
