The Detroit Lions probably hope that their practice squad doesn't get too much burn this season.
Last year, that squad ended up being a fairly regular pathway to minutes on the 53-man roster due to injuries. The 'Legion of Whom' was a whole moment in 2025 because it was in reference to a secondary made up almost entirely of practice squad call-ups.
The Lions did a good job of filling out their practice squad this season with players that could step up immediately if necessary, and that was important because of how that group ended up being used last season. Ahead of Week 1, there are four practice squad members who are obvious call-up candidates, and could be tapped for the roster sooner rather than later.
4 obvious call-up candidates on Lions' practice squad
Tom Kennedy
The wide receiver who cannot fade from the Lions' consciousness is back for another season, but once again he's starting out his season on the practice squad. Kennedy got fairly limited snaps in preseason, with the Lions honing in on players like Jacob Saylors, Tay Martin, and potentially Sione Vaki for their special teams needs this year.
Kennedy had some real pop last year as a returner, but Detroit opted to place him on the PS and carry just four receivers into Week 1...for now. That's a very thin room to start, and Kennedy feels like an obvious addition if Martin is unable to impress as a returner or gunner for Detroit. This call-up doesn't feel likely due to any negative play from Isaac TeSlaa, but definitely more so as a way to add something to their special teams unit.
Nick Whiteside
Whiteside and Greg Dortch were the two most surprising releases from this year's cut down day, but to the Lions' benefit, Whiteside landed as a potential waiver wire pickup as opposed to a free agent, like Dortch. He went unclaimed, and was signed right back to the Lions' practice squad.
Whiteside began camp as a strong candidate for the CB2 role on Detroit's defense, but slowly lost his footing there to Rock Ya-Sin and, eventually, Ennis Rakestraw Jr. But, he's still an excellent option for the Lions on defense if they experience any more injuries to their secondary, and he's familiar enough with defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard from his starts in 2025 that he is a true plug and play practice squad call up.
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Mason Miller
Miller was shockingly impressive in very short stints at center for the Lions this preseason, making you wonder if the Lions would bring him onto the 53-man roster as a backup to Juice Scruggs. Instead, the team opted to waive him and then add him to their practice squad as a swing guard with obvious versatility to also play center.
Behind Scruggs, we've got absolutely no one. That's...not ideal headed into the season as Cade Mays is out for a few weeks. Tate Ratledge can play center in a pinch, but it feels like a much better contingency plan to bring up Miller as a backup to Scruggs in case of emergency.
Joe Bachie
If the Lions need more help on special teams, they should look no further than Bachie. The linebacker had been earning some praise from head coach Dan Campbell ahead of being released by the team, with him telling reporters:
"(He's) exactly what he was when he was coming out. Smart. Just a smart, crafty, all out linebacker, Can play all the spots as needed, (can play) special teams, and he has picked up where he left off from when I remember him. That's what he's been in this league. He's walked in the door and he's got a great grasp of this defense right now."
With the team adding Devin White this offseason and him immediately etching a role on their 53-man roster, Bachie's path for a spot feels firmly with their special teams unit. Still, that'd be worthy promotion if it means Detroit's able to lean into their defense against returns as a means of saving their secondary some face.
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