Having identified the 53 man roster Saturday, the Detroit Lions practice squad will will look familiar to fans who follow the team closely. The 16 players who make up the practice squad have been in training camp with the Lions. Roughly three-quarters were with the Lions in some capacity last season.
The players chosen for the practice squad were, offensive lineman Beau Benzschawel, quarterback David Blough, wide receiver Victor Bolden, safety Jalen Elliott, defensive tackle Frank Herron, wide receiver Tom Kennedy, tight end Isaac Nauta, linebacker Anthony Pittman, safety Bobby Price, punter Arryn Siposs, defensive tackle Kevin Strong, cornerback Dee Virgin, guard Kenny Wiggins, running back Jonathan Williams, long snapper Steve Wirtel and defensive end Jonathan Wynn.
This year the NFL has expanded practice squads from 10 to 16 players. This is the first year that practice squads could include veterans. Which allowed the Detroit Lions to sign Kenny Wiggins ( offensive lineman ) to the squad.
The NFL practice squads function differently. NFL teams can protect up to four players per-week that other teams are not allowed to sign. The 12 players who are not protected can be eligible to sign with another team’s active roster during the week.
One player the Detroit Lions cut Saturday but were hoping to bring back to the practice squad was running back Jason Huntley, who was claimed by the Philadelphia Eagles.
The practice squad or taxi squad, is a group of players signed by a team but not part of their main roster. They can be used in practice as part of the scout team or a fill-in for an injured player.Because the NFL does not have a minor league these players serve as a minor league of sorts. They can be signed to the active roster if and as needed.
This is the group the Lions feel can help the roster most. So the 2020 Detroit Lions are ready for the season to start Sunday against the Chicago Bears.
