Detroit Lions Opt Not to Sign Five Players on Practice Squad

Veterans end up not signed to futures contracts.
Detroit Lions wide receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones warms up before the Denver Broncos game
Detroit Lions wide receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones warms up before the Denver Broncos game / Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK
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The Detroit Lions have now turned their attention to the process of evaluating their roster and looking towards the 2025 NFL season.

Five players who ended the 2024 season on the practice squad have yet to be brought back, including wideout Maurice Alexander, linebacker Kwon Alexander, running back Jermar Jefferson, tight end James Mitchell and wideout Donovan Peoples-Jones.

After the Lions made the decision to deal for the Peoples-Jones last year, the veteran wideout did not factor much into Ben Johnson's offense, spending the majority of the 2024 season on the practice squad.

Alexander was added to the roster due to a myriad of injuries to Detroit's linebackers unit. Malcolm Rodriguez, Alex Anzalone and Derrick Barnes all missed multiple games, leaving a void in Aaron Glenn's defense.

Futures contracts are offered for players that are free agents and not signed to a team’s 53-man active roster.

Detroit made the decision to sign 11 players to futures contracts Monday, including QB Jake Fromm, S Erick Hallett, WR Tom Kennedy, OT Jamarco Jones, S Loren Strickland, CB Stantley Thomas-Oliver, LB DaRon Gilbert, LB Abraham Beauplan, EDGE Isaac Ukwu, DT Chris Smith and OL Kingsley Eguakun.

Also, safety Morice Norris, who was not eligible to receive a futures contract, was also signed to the active roster. After spending time on Detroit's practice squad, Norris saw action for the Lions defense late in the season.

Additional reading

1.) Evaluating Lions' Fifth-Year Option Decisions

2.) Strengths of Realistic Lions Offensive Coordinator Candidates

3.) Chicago Bears to Hire Lions OC Ben Johnson as Head Coach


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John Maakaron
JOHN MAAKARON

John Maakaron has covered Detroit Sports since 2013. Brings a vast array of experience covering the Detroit Tigers, Detroit Lions, Michigan Wolverines, Michigan State Spartans, Detroit Mercy Titans, and Oakland University Golden Grizzlies. John brings a wealth of sports broadcast experience. In 2013, John had the vision to establish the Detroit Sports Podcast Network. Has recorded over 3000 podcasts analyzing Detroit Sports. In 2019, Sports Illustrated Media Group, a historical sports media outlet, partnered with Detroit Sports Podcast to provide daily Lions content for their growing and expanding digital media outlet. Our Lions content can also be read in the newspaper at The Oakland  Passionate about Detroit Sports and it is reflected in his coverage of the local teams!