The Detroit Lions’ depth at safety took another hit this week, though not due to injury. The Tennessee Titans signed safety Erick Hallett off the Lions’ practice squad on Tuesday, further thinning an already depleted secondary.
Hallett recently stepped into a starting role for Detroit and delivered his most productive performance as a professional. Filling in for the injured Brian Branch, Hallett recorded a career-high 10 tackles in the Lions’ 41–34 loss to the Los Angeles Rams last week.
Detroit’s safety group has been stretched thin in recent weeks. Branch is out for the season after suffering a torn Achilles tendon, while fellow starter Kerby Joseph has been sidelined for more than two months with a knee injury, forcing the Lions to rely heavily on depth players.
Veteran defensive back Avonte Maddox joined Hallett in the starting lineup against Los Angeles and is expected to continue seeing significant snaps. The Lions are hopeful, however, that reinforcements are on the way, with top backup Thomas Harper expected to return from concussion protocol ahead of Sunday’s matchup.
Detroit will host the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday at 4:25 p.m. ET on CBS, a game that could see some stabilization in the secondary if Harper is cleared to play.
To fill the roster spot vacated by Hallett, the Lions signed defensive back Keenan Garber, who will provide additional depth as the team navigates mounting challenges in the defensive backfield.
