DETROIT, MICHIGAN – DECEMBER 05: Brock Wright #89 of the Detroit Lions catches the ball for a touchdown during the second quarter against the Minnesota Vikings at Ford Field on December 05, 2021 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
With their tight end room seemingly thinning by the day, the Detroit Lions added some reinforcements on Tuesday.
The Detroit Lions were already without top tight end T.J. Hockenson after season-ending thumb surgery. Then Shane Zylstra suffered a season-ending knee injury against the Falcons last Sunday. On Tuesday, new No. 1 tight end Brock Wright was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list among a long list of roster moves.
Of some other note there is linebacker Josh Woods (neck) being placed on season-ending IR, and defensive end Jashon Cornell being designated to return from the non-football injury list. Wide receiver Juwan Green was also signed to the practice squad, with cornerback Chris Williamson released from the practice squad to make room.
Fullback Jason Cabinda had been lining up some as a tight end, and he also suffered a knee injury last Sunday to further thin the options. On Tuesday the Lions signed tight end Jared Pinkney off the Los Angeles Rams practice squad, and they also signed tight end Ross Travis to their practice squad.
Who’s going to play tight end for the Detroit Lions on Sunday?
Pinkney went undrafted out Vanderbilt, where he had 114 catches over four seasons, in 2020. He spent a month on the Lions’ practice squad earlier this season. He has never appeared in an NFL game, but he may function as Detroit’s No. 1 tight end on Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks.
Travis, Tuesday’s other tight end signing for the Lions, came into the NFL in 2016. He has appeared in 28 regular season games, including three with the Arizona Cardinals this season. Travis joins incumbent Nick Eubanks as the tight ends on Detroit’s practice squad.
Earlier on Tuesday, ahead of the moves that were made, ESPN’s Field Yates reported the Lions cleared some immediate cap space by restructuring guard Halipoulivaati Vaitai’s contract.