Detroit Lions put Quintez Cephus on IR, officially elevate Michael Badgley

The Detroit Lions did some roster maneuvering on Saturday, including wide receiver Quintez Cephus going on IR.

Saturday has typically been a day of roster moves for the Detroit Lions, and this one was no different. According to the team’s release, here are the moves.

• WR Quintez Cephus placed on IR
• WR Maurice Alexander and CB AJ Parker signed to active rosterfrom practice squad
• K Michael Badgley and CB Saivion Smith elevated to active list for Sunday’s game from practice squad

Last week, with Amon-Ra St. Brown and DJ Chark out, Cephus saw his most extensive offensive action of the season and suffered a foot injury. After missing the final 12 games last year with a collarbone injury, he’ll miss at least four games with this stint on IR.

Parker will add a notable body to the Lions cornerback room, which has seen Amani Oruwariye and Mike Hughes really struggle so far. Parker played in 13 games and started seven as the Lions primary nickelback last year.

Alexander starred in the USFL this summer and made a preseason push for a 53-man roster spot as the Lions’ kickoff returner before landing on the practice squad. He was elevated from the practice squad last week to be the Lions’ kickoff returner, as Justin Jackson had a bigger offensive role with D’Andre Swift out. Swift is out again this week, so it looks like it’ll be the same arrangement

Detroit Lions are trying another kicker

Austin Seibert was the Lions kicker for the first three games this season, then a right groin injury sidelined him last week. Dominik Eberle stepped in, and after missing two extra points along with kicking an extra point out of bounds, he was waived on Tuesday.

The Lions signed Badgley to their practice squad to effectively replace Eberle as the backup plan if Seibert was not able to return to action this week. Then Seibert was waived on Friday, so Badgley will get his shot to kick for Detroit Sunday against the Patriots.