The Lions have signed free agent defensive tackle Caraun Reid and waived linebacker Thurston Armbrister, the club announced today.
Detroit is attempting to fortify its front four after placing veteran interior defender Haloti Ngata on injured reserve earlier today. While the Lions rank eighth in overall defensive DVOA, much of that success is due to the team’s secondary. Detroit’s defensive line, meanwhile, has received middling marks, as it ranks 17th in adjusted line yards and 18th in adjusted sack rate.
Reid isn’t the only new addition to the Lions’ front, as the club also agreed to sign former Packers defender Datone Jones this week. Before inking Reid and Jones to bolster its line, the Lions worked out defensive tackles Brandin Bryant and Joey Ivie, tweets veteran NFL reporter Howard Balzer. Former Bears interior lineman Will Sutton also auditioned for Detroit.
Reid, 25, will now enter his second stint in the Motor City — he appeared in 26 games for the Lions from 2014-15, and made 12 starts in that latter season. Detroit waived him last September, and while he landed with the Chargers, Reid tore his ACL after only seven contests. The Lions have been running a multi-player rotation at defensive tackle, as Ngata, A’Shawn Robinson, Akeem Spence, and Jeremiah Ledbetter have all played on at least 40% of the team’s snaps this season. Reid will likely factor into that group as a reserve on the inside.
Like Reid, Armbrister has also enjoyed separate runs with the Lions. The 28-year-old saw action in 14 games for Detroit a season ago, but has since spent time on the Lions’ practice squad. He was promoted for the club’s prior two games, but was inactive for both contests. It shouldn’t be a surprise if Armbrister winds up back of Detroit’s taxi squad if he clears waivers.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
