The Detroit Lions have added a veteran cornerback and tight end to their practice squad.
Even though it was the players’ day off, the Detroit Lions were rather busy on Tuesday, as they executed a few transactions, the most noteworthy of which was the acquisition of veteran cornerback Anthony Averett to the practice squad.
Because the Lions have been suffering with injuries in recent weeks, this decision should come as no surprise. Rookie Brian Branch was injured during Sunday’s game against the Carolina Panthers, while cornerback Emmanuel Moseley tore his ACL after only two snaps into his season debut, ultimately ending his season.
Averett was drafted in the fourth round by the Baltimore Ravens in 2018. He divided his five seasons in the league between Baltimore and the Las Vegas Raiders, with whom he signed last March. Averett has 114 tackles, 23 pass deflections, and three interceptions in 51 games with 27 starts in his NFL career. Notably, he had these three interceptions during his most productive season in the league, which was his final season in Baltimore (2021), when he started 14 games and had 54 tackles and 11 pass deflections.
Averett’s most recent stint was with the San Francisco 49ers’ practice squad, where he signed on Aug. 3. However, the 49ers released Averett on Aug. 17, shortly after placing him on the injured reserve list to make place for Breeland Speaks.
Along with Averett, the Lions signed tight end Anthony Firkser to the practice squad. Firkser entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent out of Harvard in 2017, first signed with the New York Jets’ practice squad before joining the Kansas City Chiefs. Later in his career, he played for the Tennessee Titans and the Atlanta Falcons. Firkser has 115 receptions for 1,207 yards and five touchdowns in five seasons in the NFL.
Following the additions of Averett and Firkser, the Lions released cornerback Darius Phillips and wide receiver Trey Quinn off the practice squad.
