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Detroit Lions send Tavon Wilson to IR; Miles Killebrew is up

By Steven Mullenax

DETROIT, MI - SEPTEMBER 10: Miles Killebrew #35 of the Detroit Lions celebrates a fourth quarter touchdown with Armonty Bryant #97 after he intercepts a pass while playing the Arizona Cardinals at Ford Field on September 10, 2017 in Detroit, Michigan. Detroit won the game 35-23. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI - SEPTEMBER 10: Miles Killebrew #35 of the Detroit Lions celebrates a fourth quarter touchdown with Armonty Bryant #97 after he intercepts a pass while playing the Arizona Cardinals at Ford Field on September 10, 2017 in Detroit, Michigan. Detroit won the game 35-23. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
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The Detroit Lions have placed starting safety Tavon Wilson on the Injured Reserve list. Now the job is Miles Killebrew’s to try and keep.

The Detroit Lions defensive secondary will have a different look when the Motor City takes on the Baltimore Ravens in Maryland on Sunday. Starting strong safety Tavon Wilson was placed on Injured Reserve on Monday after a shoulder injury he re-aggravated during the Lions’ Thanksgiving battle with the Minnesota Vikings will now required season-ending surgery.

Wilson, who is in his second season in Detroit after spending the first four years of his NFL career as a back-up with the New England Patriots, has been a consistent defender for the Lions this season. Through 10 games, Wilson posted 55 combined tackles, 2.0 sacks, two pass defends, one interception and one forced fumble. He’s scheduled to become a free agent in 2018.

The veteran strong safety will now be replaced in the starting lineup by Miles Killebrew. The 2016 fourth round selection out of Southern Utah was rumored to be in competition for the starting role with Wilson this offseason. Now it’s Killebrew opportunity to step up and prove he should be the long-term starter beside veteran Glover Quin in the Lions’ secondary.

The 24-year old safety has started in three games so far this season, posting 32 total tackles, five pass defends and one memorable pick six from back in Week One. The Lions also promoted safety Rolan Milligan off their practice squad to the active roster to bolster the depth behind Killebrew in the secondary.

Also promoted to the active roster from the practice squad is former St. Louis Rams’ receiver Bradley Marquez. With two empty spots on the practice squad, Detroit’s front office wasted little time filling the vacancies. The Lions re-signed preseason superstar and wide receiver Jace Billingsley plus added safety Stefan McClure to fill those voids. McClure who was released earlier this month by the Washington Redskins.

Next: Should the Lions sign a free agent running back?

Finally, former 2016 fifth round selection, offensive guard Joe Dahl, was designated as eligible to return from the Injured Reserve List. Dahl competed for a starting role on this makeshift Lions offensive line in the offseason, but a leg injury limited him to only two game appearances so far this year. Now apparently ready to return, the 24-year old should be Detroit’s top reserve for the foreseeable future.

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