The Detroit Lions have announced the inactive player list for their Week 6 matchup with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
the Detroit Lions They were declared inactive prior to their Week 6 matchup with Tampa Bay Buccaneers After four players were ruled out on Friday, coupled with reports earlier in the day that Sam Laporta would play, there were not many surprises.
The Lions entered the week with a full 53-man roster and made some roster moves heading into this game. Cornerback Emmanuel Moseley and running back Zonovan Knight were placed on injured reserve, and in corresponding moves, the Lions activated cornerback/kick returner Khalil Dorsey from injured reserve and signed offensive lineman Dan Skipper to the active roster. Additionally, the Lions elevated running back Devin Ozigbo from the practice squad for this game.
Ultimately, these moves bring the Lions’ total game-day roster to 54 players.
Since the Lions have eight offensive linemen active for Sunday’s game, they are eligible to expand their game-day eligibility list from 47 to 48 players. So, with 54 players on the game-day roster and 48 players eligible to play, the Lions must declare six Players not in today’s match.
Black is inactive:
- RB Jahmyr Gibbs (hamstring) – ruled out
- TE James Mitchell (hamstring) – ruled out
- LJ Jonah Jackson (ankle) – ruled out
- DB Brian Branch (ankle) – ruled out
- D. T. Broderick Martin
- CB Stephen Gilmour
Gibbs will miss his second straight game, but has begun working with coaches during practices, a sign he is close to returning. Look for Craig Reynolds to step in as the primary backup, and Ozigbo to serve as RB3.
Mitchell will also miss his second game, and the team will likely turn to Darrell Daniels for TE3 snaps, in addition to his role at fullback/RB.
Jackson’s absence from this game is disappointing, and although it is unclear who will replace him as the team’s starting left guard, it is not because the team is out of options. In fact, they have four players who can step in, three of whom have starting guard experience — Halabulifati Vaitai, Kayode Awosika, and Skipper — as well as rookie Colby Sorsdal.
Branch is also missing his second game, and is expected to be replaced by Will Harris in the slot, just like they did last week.
Martin is a healthy scratch for the sixth straight week, and when defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn was asked what the third-round pick needs to do to get on the field, he identified areas where Martin needs to improve.
“The lateral sleight is for one person, and he works out after practicing it like every day,” Glenn noted. “Well, that’s the first thing, and the second thing is hand placement. That’s something different for him as far as where he puts his hands. And understanding exactly how we play defense.”
While there are many things that Martin has to work on, Glenn also said that he really likes where Martin is at.
“I like where he is and I like the way he’s improving,” Glenn said. “And that’s what we talk about with this player all the time, as far as his awareness, as far as playing defense for the most part. He’s still excited about this player, I mean he still has a big body that can move, so for him to get a chance every week to go up against our line is The best thing he could ever have.
With Dorsey back and taking over special teams duties, UDFA rookie Gilmore will also be a healthy scratch.
Inactive hackers:
- LB Anthony Nelson
- DL Patrick O’Connor
- CB Derek Betts
- OT Brandon Walton
- T David Wells
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