As expected, the Lions will begin their season without backup quarterback Tim Boyle. A thumb injury will sideline him into October, with the team placing the former Packers reserve on IR Thursday.
The team also stashed defensive lineman Da’Shawn Hand on IR. Players placed on IR after roster cutdown day are eligible to return after three games. This is Hand’s fourth IR stay in four seasons.
Detroit also brought back one of its offseason additions, re-signing tight end Darren Fells a day after releasing him. Fells made it through to the Lions’ 53-man roster after cut day but was dropped on Wednesday. The former college hoops standout-turned-red zone target signed with the Lions in May.
Fells joins T.J. Hockenson as the only tight ends on Detroit’s active roster. This will be Fells’ age-35 season and second with Detroit. He was on the 2017 Lions before relocating to Cleveland and then Houston. With the Texans, Fells caught 11 touchdown passes over the past two years.
Boyle’s injury leaves David Blough as the only QB behind Jared Goff on the Lions’ active roster. This marks Blough’s third year with the team.
Additionally, the Lions also re-signed safety Dean Marlowe on Thursday. A Bills contributor from 2018-20, Marlowe joined Fells in being dropped from the roster for procedural purposes Wednesday.
Well, Fells is a pretty guy who can be good in the red zone. His Houston production was a pleasant surprise on a mostly unproductive red zone team, and was especially good coming so late in his career. As a backup, he’s a great option who has also had success as a blocker. At 35, he won’t demand a long term or expensive contract either. Good re-sign.
Blough, I have to say though, is pretty tough to watch. I’m not saying that he’s hopeless, but he’s got a way to go to become a successful backup.
*pretty big
oops
Time to begin a “blushing avatar” search?
Ehhh or the search for an edit button
Time to cut bait with Hand. Just one of these guys that will always be hurt. For four years he’s been collecting a paycheck and taking up space. Too bad but it’s time to move on.