Several cut Detroit Lions return on new 16-man practice squad

The Detroit Lions signed several of the players they recently cut to their practice squad

On Saturday, the Detroit Lions released or waived several players to meet the NFL criteria of having a 53-man active roster. And now, the Lions have gotten several of those cut players back on their practice squad.

As part of playing in the time of COVID-19, the NFL has expanded practice squad units to now include 16 total players. And the Lions have officially announced the players they’ve signed to that expanded squad on Sunday.

The Detroit Lions’ practice squad list as of Sept. 6

David Blough, QB
Jonathan Williams, RB
Isaac Nauta, TE
Beau Benzschawel, G
Kenny Wiggins, G
Tom Kennedy, WR
Victor Bolden, WR
Jonathan Wynn, DE
Frank Herron, DT
Kevin Strong, DT
Anthony Pittman, LB
Dee Virgin, CB
Bobby Price, S
Jalen Elliott, S
Arryn Siposs, P
Steve Wirtel, LS

The list of players who have been signed to the Lions’ practice squad makes up many of the surprise cuts from Saturday. Those names include guards Beau Benzschawel and Kenny Wiggins, which helps to buy some additional insurance along the offensive line. To that end, the team is also re-signing offensive lineman Oday Aboushi according to Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press.

Two special teams contributors in punter Arryn Siposs and long snapper Steve Wirtel were also signed to the practice squad. Both were believed to in heavy contention to make the active roster, ultimately losing out to punter Jack Fox and veteran long snapper Don Muhlbach.

The one waived player the Detroit Lions never had a chance to sign to the practice squad was rookie running back Jason Huntley. One of the Lions’ two fifth-round selections in the 2020 NFL Draft, Huntley was claimed by the Philadelphia Eagles off the waiver wire.