Lions sign 3 from practice squad in huge series of roster moves ahead of Week 16

The Detroit Lions made a litany of roster moves on Saturday, a day ahead of the team’s Week 16 trip to Chicago to play the Bears.

Detroit signed three players from its practice squad to the active roster:

LB Mitchell Agude

WR Tom Kennedy

DT Chris Smith

All three have been with the Lions all season, with Smith already spending time on the active roster.

The Lions also elevated two more players from the practice squad to the active roster for Sunday’s game. As expected, running back Jermar Jefferson earned an elevation with David Montgomery sidelined. Rookie safety Loren Strickland was also elevated.

In addition, the Lions activated safety Ifeatu Melifonwu from injured reserve for the second time this season. Melifonwu will continue to be questionable for Sunday as he returns from a hand injury that has kept him out for a month.

Those are all the additions. There were some subtractions from the roster, too.

First, the Lions waived safety Brandon Joseph and wide receiver Maurice Alexander. Joseph has been the team’s third safety with Melifonwu out all year, and his release is something of a surprise. Alexander had been filling the return man role previously occupied by now-injured Kalif Raymond. That role figures to become Kennedy’s, as the veteran slot has considerable special teams experience.

Finally, the Lions waived defensive lineman David Bada with an injury settlement. Bada has been on I.R. all season after suffering a preseason injury.