Lions add tight end to the practice squad as another will miss time

The Detroit Lions are shoring up their tight end depth by signing TE Ross Dwelley to the practice squad.

Today's announcement was complemented by the signing of quarterback Malik Cunningham to the practice squad. While Cunningham's signing is likely due to the team preparing for the athletically gifted Lamar Jackson leading up to their Monday Night Football game against Jackson's Baltimore Ravens, Dwelley's signing fits a different objective.

On Sunday's explosive 52-21 victory over the Chicago Bears, backup TE Shane Zylstra left the game after injuring his ankle. The Lions have since announced that Zylstra will go on the Reserved/Injured list. No return timetable has been announced, but per NFL IR rules, Zylstra will miss at least four games.

Dwelley went undrafted in 2018 after starting 44 games at the University of San Diego. Dwelley spent six seasons with the San Francisco 49ers, starting 17 games. Dwelley made a brief stop with the Atlanta Falcons in 2024 before returning to the 49ers in 2025, where he was released on August 15.

Brock Wright will remain the backup tight end

With Zylstra on the IR, a roster spot has opened up. The Lions have announced that that spot will not be taken by a tight end like Dwelley, but instead by offensive lineman Trystan Colon.

Colon, who has played center and right guard, has played 51 games in the NFL and started 15 of them. Colon was with the Ravens between 2020 and 2022, but 11 of Colon's 15 starts have come across the past two seasons with the Arizona Cardinals, including seven games last season. With injury and experience concerns along the OL, it makes sense to bring in some added experience. Especially someone who has some experience with the Ravens.

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With a TE not being elevated, TE Brock Wright has secured the backup role for the foreseeable future. That shouldn't come as a surprise, given his experience and his impressive performance against the Bears on Sunday, where he hauled in three catches for 28 yards and a touchdown. Wright also caught another pass for a key first down.

With starting TE Sam LaPorta healthy and Wright impressing in Week 2, don't expect to see Dwelley take the field anytime soon. At the same time, you can never have too much depth, and it's great to see the Lions act quickly to bring in another TE.