Some clubs cultivate youthful talent via their practice squad. In order to help them get over any obstacles that may come up during what may be a protracted playoff run, the Detroit Lions are reconfiguring theirs.
This week, the Lions added three veterans to their practice squad—Bruce Irvin, Michael Schofield, and Kindle Vildor—at some of their thinnest positions on the roster. Between them, these players have 265 games of NFL experience.
Vildor brings depth at cornerback after playing for the NFC-leading Philadelphia Eagles earlier in the season, Schofield has experience playing a variety of spots on the offensive line, and Irvin gives the Lions another edge rusher
As the season progresses, it’s challenging to identify individuals that you might need, Lions coach Dan Campbell stated on Wednesday. who provides us with a few experienced players who we are interested in. They are adaptable. And for the time being, that is indeed the case. See where it is, please.
Irvin, who hasn’t playefootball since Week 18 last season, likely won’t be in the Lions’ playing rotation Sunday against the Chicago Bears. But the 36-year-old can play outside linebacker or defensive end, and he’s added insurance in case James Houston can’t make it back late in the season from the fractured fibula he suffered in Week 2.
Vildr, 25, who made 22 starts in his first three NFL seasons and appeared in two games as a backup with the Tennessee Titans earlier this year, adds depth to a secondary that lost Emmanuel Moseley to a torn ACL in October and has been without safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson since mid-September because of a torn pectoral muscle.
And Schofield, similarly, gives the Lions a veteran backup on an offensive line that’s dealt with myriad injuries already this season. The Lions have started seven different offensive line combinations in their first nine games. Swing tackle Matt Nelson is out for the season with an injury, and the Loons placed guard Halapoulivaati Vaitai on injured reserve Tuesday.
