To meet the Bucs in their Divisional playoff game, the Detroit Lions activate two players off their practice squad.
Jason Cabinda and Tyson Alualu, both from the Detroit Lions practice squad, were added to the Divisional Round playoff roster on game day.
The Detroit Lions promoted defensive lineman Tyson Alualu and fullback Jason Cabinda on Saturday in a procedural roster change ahead of their Divisional Round playoff game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Lions also declared that Julian Okwara, who was waived earlier in the week, has returned to the practice squad.
The Lions have relied on the veteran to provide Detroit with some more seasoned depth options in the closing stages of the season, so this has become a routine roster choice. Alualu has been lifted for the fourth time in a row after doing so in the last three games (Weeks 17, 18, and Wild Card). Though Cabinda has been elevated for three games in a row since being taken off injured reserve in Week 17,.
Despite not being officially classified as a starter, Alualu participated in 22 defensive snaps against the Rams; still, given the Lions’ game plan, those were starting-level snaps. Despite having just one tackle and a below-average PFF grade in the Wild Card, Alualu’s experience offers the Lions stability in the middle of their inexperienced interior defensive line.
Although Cabinda only participated on seven offensive plays—he was used as a schematic decoy on Sam LaPorta’s touchdown—he saw 17 special team snaps, an area in which he excels consistently. His versatility in covering kicks and punts, field goals, and extra point tries, as well as his ability to participate in all areas of special teams, is a tremendous asset, particularly in light of the injury to tight end James Mitchell.
Reminder: Players on the practice squad are only allowed to elevate themselves three times in the regular season; however, in the postseason, there are no restrictions on elevation. Cabinda and Alualu will therefore continue to be options to be upgraded on game day as long as the Lions are participating in the playoffs.
