Detroit inks Parker from practice squad in time for Sunday’s game against the Patriots
Bartlesville’s A.J. Parker could be in line to see some action Sunday for the Detroit Lions.
The Lions announced Saturday they have signed the Bartlesville High School graduate back to the active roster from the practice squad.
Parker (5-foot-11, 185) is a second-year defensive back with the Lions.
During his rookie season last year, he compiled some promising stats and produced a handful of exceptional plays.
He played in all 13 games in which he was healthy, including seven starts.
Parker came to camp last summer to battle for a starting job. But, the Lions cut him on final day and re-signed him after he cleared waivers to the team’s practice squad, where he’s been all season until Saturday.
The Lions own a 1-3-0 record and coming off back-to-back losses, including last week’s 48-45 setback against the Seattle Seahawks.
Detroit is slated to play at noon Sunday against the New England Patriots.
Interestingly, Parker was elevated back to the active roster even though no defensive backs were listed on the Lions’ injury report for this week, coming into the weekend. Whether that signals Parker might see significant time Sunday remains to be seen..
Parker signed in May 2021 as an undrafted free agent with Lions. Conquering the odds, Parker earned an active roster spot and became a regular in the secondary while bouncing back twice from games missed (four) due to injuries.
Parker played four seasons at Kansas State, starting the final three.
He graduated in 2016 from Bartlesville High as one of the greatest-ever all-around athletes to emerge from the school. He excelled on the highest levels in football, basketball and track, setting the school record in the latter for the high jump (6-foot-10).
When he suited up last season for Detroit, he became the first Bartlesville Public Schools product to play in the NFL since Bobby Joe Green (Chicago Bears) in the 1970s.
Another Bartlesville area athlete that made a solid presence in the NFL was Bartlesville College High School’s David Baker. He starred as a defensive back for three seasons (1959-61) for the San Francisco 49ers, becoming the team’s interception leader (he led the NFL with 10 in 1960) and earning All-Pro honors.
Last season, Parker made 39 solo tackles (plus 11 assists), forced a fumble (against the Green Bay Packers), recorded an interception (against Baker Mayfield) and defensed seven passes.