We’ll keep track of today’s practice squad moves here:
Detroit Lions
- Signed: DE Alex Barrett
- Cut: DE Earl Okine
New England Patriots
- Signed: QB Taylor Heinicke, WR Riley McCarron
New Orleans Saints
- Signed: LB Ben Heeney
- George Johnson’s first workout with the Lions this year didn’t go as planned. The veteran defensive end showed up out of shape and was told to address that before circling back. It took only two weeks for Johnson to shed ten pounds and prove himself, leading to his deal this week, Justin Rogers of the Detroit News writes. Now, the Lions are optimistic about what he can bring to the table in his second stint with the club. “He’s still the same guy that works extremely hard, heavy-handed guy that can make some things happen and the rest of it we’ll see,” coach Jim Caldwell said. “I mean, he had an outstanding year that year, and those are hard to duplicate, but he will contribute to our team.” Johnson had six sacks for the Lions in 2014.
The Lions have signed defensive end George Johnson. To make room, Detroit has waived fellow defensive lineman Alex Barrett. 
Johnson spent the 2014 season with the Lions, a campaign sandwiched by his two stints with the Buccaneers. He was quietly effective in that season, appearing in all 16 games and earning a positive grade from Pro Football Focus. The Lions are hoping that he can still be an effective pass rusher in 2017.
Johnson’s second stint with the Bucs came to an end earlier this month when he missed the 53-man cutdown. Tampa Bay saved $2.25MM by terminating his deal in advance of Week 1.
In the process, the Bucs get themselves off the hook for his $2.25MM salary, which would have become guaranteed if he was on the roster for Week 1.
Unfortunately, Johnson hasn’t seen the field since the 2015 season. Last August, an ACL tear shut him down for the year.
Today’s workout update notes:
Buffalo Bills
- Ps Taylor Symmank, and Matt Wile; LS Derek Hart (Twitter links via Howard Balzer and Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle)
Carolina Panthers
- S Jack Tocho (Tuesday) (Twitter link via Chris Tomasson of the Pioneer Press)
Cincinnati Bengals
- QBs Jerod Evans and Wes Lunt; RB Kelvin Taylor; WRs C.J. Board and Moritz Boehringer; TEs Taylor McNamara and Wes Saxton; DE Pat O’Connor; CBs Alex Carter and Josh Thornton (Twitter links via Tom Pelissero of NFL.com, Katherine Terrell of ESPN.com, and Howard Balzer)
Detroit Lions
- LB Tre’Von Johnson (Twitter link via Balzer)
Green Bay Packers
- OL Fahn Cooper, Givens Price, and Brandon Thomas (Twitter link via Pelissero)
Houston Texans
- TE Alex Ellis (Twitter link via Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle)
Indianapolis Colts
- TEs Sam Cotton, Alex Ellis, Scott Orndoff, Josiah Price, Steven Scheu, Robert Tonyan (Twitter link via Balzer)
Jacksonville Jaguars
- WR Jaydon Mickens; DBs Robert Blanton, Marqueston Huff, and Robenson Therezie (Twitter link via Ryan O’Halloran of the Florida Times-Union)
New England Patriots
- WRs River Cracraft, Kenny Lawler, and Nelson Spruce; DE Jonathan Woodard; DB Robert Nelson (Twitter link via Mike Reiss of ESPN.com)
New Orleans Saints
- CB Bradley Sylve (Tuesday) (Twitter link via Wilson)
Seattle Seahawks
- LB Joseph Jones; S Tyvis Powell (Twitter link via Balzer)
The Patriots auditioned free agent defensive lineman Datone Jones today, while the Lions did the same on Saturday, according to Field Yates of ESPN.com (Twitter link) and Tom Pelissero of NFL.com (Twitter link).
If signed by New England, Jones would likely play a role similar to that of incumbent options Deatrich Wise or Adam Butler, tweets Doug Kyed of NESN — that is, an edge player who can slide inside on passing downs. A former first-round pick, Jones is capable of playing either in a 3-4 or 4-3 front, and his scheme versatility could prove valuable for a Patriots club that prides itself on flexibility.
While the Patriots are short on edge defenders, the Lions are arguably even less equipped along the front seven. Kerry Hyder, last season’s breakout contributor, is done for the season with a torn Achilles, while Khyri Thornton and Armonty Bryant won’t return from suspension until midseason. Detroit should have a well-formulated view of Jones after facing him as a member of the division rival Packers in each of the past four years.
Now entering his age-27 campaign, Jones has never quite lived up to his draft status, and surprisingly couldn’t make the squad in Minnesota even after inking a one-year, $3.75MM pact that included $1.6MM in guarantees. Jones logged a career-high four starts and amassed 548 snaps across 15 games last season, when he added 22 tackles, a sack and ranked 70th in performance among Pro Football Focus’ 110 qualified edge defenders.
- Lions second-round pick Teez Tabor was a healthy scratch in Week 1 and, given the team’s depth at cornerback, probably won’t be a factor for a while, Kyle Meinke of MLive.com writes. But head coach Jim Caldwell still thinks the ex-Florida Gator could pay short-term dividends. “That probably would not be an accurate statement in terms of a ‘long-term project,'” Caldwell said. “I’m not certain what that denotes, but that probably wouldn’t be how we would assess it.” Meanwhile, defensive coordinator Teryl Austin is pleased with the progress Tabor has made in recent months. “He’s doing everything right and we’ll see him at some point,” Austin declared. “(He’s) much different than when he first got in here. I think he’s a really super smart player. Gets it, can get around the ball, again, just growing him right now.” Once considered a good bet to go in the first round this year, Tabor fell to the Lions at No. 53 after posting slow times in the 40-yard yard dash in the offseason.
The latest workout updates from across the NFL, courtesy of Howard Balzer (Twitter links here):
Arizona Cardinals
Detroit Lions
- CBs Aarion Penton, Marcus Sayles, Damian Swann
Kansas City Chiefs
- NT Rickey Hatley (signed to practice squad); DE Jhaustin Thomas
New York Giants
- CBs Elie Bouka, Robert Nelson
New York Jets
Today’s practice squad moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed: OT Ulrick John, OT Vinston Painter
- Cut: OT T Givens Price
Buffalo Bills
- Signed: CB Greg Mabin
- Cut: TE MyCole Pruitt
Carolina Panthers
- Signed: K Harrison Butker
- Cut: DT Eric Crume
Detroit Lions
- Signed: DT Christian Ringo
- Cut: DT Daniel Ross
Los Angeles Rams
- Signed: DL Quinton Jefferson
New Orleans Saints
- Signed: LB Adam Bighill
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Signed: DL Channing Ward
- Cut: DE Sterling Bailey
Today’s practice squad moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed: T Givens Price, LB Scooby Wright
- Released: CB Ryan Lewis, RB James Summers
Buffalo Bills
- Signed: CB Greg Mabin
Chicago Bears
- Signed: RB Josh Rounds
Dallas Cowboys
- Signed: WR Brian Brown
- Released: S Jameill Showers
Detroit Lions
- Signed: OT Storm Norton
- Cut: DE Pat O’Connor
Green Bay Packers
- Signed: G Darrell Greene
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed: T Tyreek Burwell
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Signed: WR Larry Pinkard
- Released: CB Stanley Jean-Baptiste
Los Angeles Chargers
- Signed: CB Jeff Richards
- Released: DE Isaac Rochell
Los Angeles Rams
- Released: C Jake Eldrenkamp
Minnesota Vikings
- Signed: Antwione Williams
New England Patriots
- Signed: CB Ryan Lewis
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Signed: LB L.J. Fort
- Released: LB Matt Galambos
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: TE Gabe Holmes, CB Akeem King
The Lions have hosted workouts for defensive lineman Jaye Howard and quarterback Garrett Grayson, according to veteran NFL reporter Howard Balzer (all Twitter links).
Howard, 28, was released by the Bears during final cutdowns after having a signed a one-year pact in May. A longtime Chief, Howard only suited up eight times and made five starts last year, as a hip injury ended his season in November. During his limited action in 2016, Howard added 23 tackles and a sack, and ranked 55th in performance among Pro Football Focus‘ 127 qualified interior defensive linemen.
Detroit needs all the help it can get in the front seven, as the club’s defensive line has been decimated by injuries and suspensions. Kerry Hyder and Jordan Hill have both been placed on injured reserve, while Armonty Bryant and Khyri Thornton won’t return until Weeks 4 and 6, respectively, after being hit with league-imposed bans.
Quarterback is a less-pressing need for the Lions, as Matthew Stafford and Jake Rudock comprise the team’s top two options under center. Seventh-round pick Brad Kaaya was lost via waivers earlier this month, and Detroit doesn’t currently have a signal-caller on its practice squad. Grayson, a former third-round selection of the Saints, has never attempted an NFL pass.
Howard and Grayson weren’t the only free agents on display in the Motor City. Per Balzer, the Lions also took a look at quarterback Mitch Leidner; wide receivers C.J. Board, Montay Crockett, Anthony Dable, Cyril Grayson, Bug Howard, and Jordan Payton; defensive tackles Jeremy Faulk, Marcus Hardison, and Louis Trinca-Pasat; defensive end Patrick Gamble; LB Nicholas Grigsby; and S Jack Tocho.