Lions Sign Former Vikings Defensive Tackle Ahead of Week 8 Showdown With Minnesota
The Detroit Lions made a roster move ahead of their biggest division game of the season.
Prior to Week 7, Detroit brought in defensive tackle Taki Taimani for a visit. On Monday, the team signed him to their practice squad ahead of their Week 8 matchup against the Minnesota Vikings.
The move is intriguing for two reasons. First, it adds depth to a defensive line that already features Alim McNeil, Tyleik Williams, and rookie Skyler Gill-Howard. Second, Taimani spent his first three seasons with the Vikings, making him familiar with their system.
Taimani entered the league as an undrafted free agent from Oregon in 2024. He made the Vikings roster as a rookie and was active for eight games, playing 70 snaps before being placed on IR. In his second year, he spent most of the season on Minnesota’s practice squad but was called up in Week 14 and Week 18, playing 35 regular-season snaps.
This year, he played 36 preseason snaps for Minnesota before being released and spending most of the season as a free agent.
In a corresponding move, the Lions released wide receiver Lawrence Keys from their practice squad. The team currently has only Lucky Jackson and Dominic Lovett as practice squad receivers, but appears comfortable with its depth at defensive tackle.
The signing could be a short-term move to get intel on Brian Flores and the Vikings’ top-ranked defense ahead of Sunday’s showdown, or it could be a longer look at a player who could contribute down the stretch.
The Lions host the undefeated Vikings (6-0) on Sunday, November 1 at Ford Field in a game that could decide the NFC North lead.
