Lions Put Safety Thomas Harper on IR, Call Up Two Defenders for Jets Game
The short version
- Thomas Harper (ankle) was placed on injured reserve Saturday and is out until Week 7 at the earliest
- Detroit is without four of its top five safeties: Harper, Avonte Maddox, Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph
- Christian Izen moves from nickel to starting safety alongside Chuck Clark
- Jalen Mills and Amen Ogbongbemiga were elevated from the practice squad for Week 3
- Rookie Bishop Fitzgerald was signed off the Steelers' practice squad as a future depth option
Detroit's safety depth took another hit Saturday as Thomas Harper went on injured reserve, with two practice-squad players elevated for Sunday's matchup with the Jets.
The Detroit Lions made a series of roster moves Saturday, placing safety Thomas Harper on injured reserve and promoting two defenders ahead of their Week 3 game against the New York Jets.
Harper hurt his ankle while finishing Detroit's Week 2 contest with Buffalo and was later seen in a walking boot. He was still wearing the boot when the team returned to practice Wednesday, telling Rich Silva of the Detroit News he was trying to stay off the foot and did not expect the issue to linger. The injury proved more serious than he hoped: Harper sat out the entire week of practice, was ruled out Friday, and landed on IR the following day.
The move means Harper must sit out at least four weeks and cannot be activated until Week 7 at the earliest. His absence deepens a growing problem in the secondary. Avonte Maddox also went on IR this week with an injury requiring season-ending surgery, while Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph remain on the physically unable to perform list. In all, four of Detroit's top five safeties are now unavailable.
To cover the gap, the Lions plan to move Christian Izen from his usual starting nickel spot into the starting lineup at safety, pairing with veteran Chuck Clark. Head coach Dan Campbell said Friday that Izen has spent extensive time working at the position and received a full week of full-speed repetitions with the calls he'll be responsible for, adding that Izen will be a significant piece for the team.
Depth behind the starters comes from several sources. The most immediate is Jalen Mills, a 10-plus-year veteran who re-signed to Detroit's practice squad this week and was elevated for the Jets game. Mills closed last season with the Lions, appearing in three games, and his knowledge of the coverage scheme positions him to contribute right away. Rookie cornerback Keith Abney, who has primarily played nickel in Detroit, has also gotten occasional work at safety; Campbell called him a smart, conscientious player who could be forced into action if needed. The team also signed rookie Bishop Fitzgerald off Pittsburgh's practice squad this week. Described as a fit for the free safety role in Detroit's scheme because of his ballhawking and willingness to tackle in run support, he is still learning the playbook and is viewed as a longer-term depth option.
On top of Mills, the Lions elevated linebacker Amen Ogbongbemiga from the practice squad. With rookie linebacker Jimmy Rolder still working back from a hamstring injury and Joe Bachie recently let go from the active roster, Ogbongbemiga gives Detroit a sixth linebacker and a role across multiple special teams units.
The New York Jets visit the Lions at Ford Field on Sunday, September 27, with kickoff at 1:00 PM EDT on FOX.
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