The Detroit Lions made a transaction prior to their matchup against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 3. The team announced that they are signing WR/QB Malik Cunningham to their practice squad, in hopes of garnering a similar look to Lamar Jackson.
Cunningham was a 2023 UDFA originally signed by the New England Patriots as a quarterback, landing on their practice squad. Cunningham would be promoted to the active roster in October of 2023, appearing in one game for New England.
Cunningham would be released off of New England's roster and signed to the practice squad later in October, only to be signed to the Ravens active roster in December of 2023.
Cunningham appeared in four offensive snaps for Baltimore while with the team. During OTAs for the Ravens in 2024, Cunningham switched from quarterback to wide receiver, spending all of 2024 on their practice squad. After spending 2025 with the Ravens, Cunningham was released during final cuts on August 27.
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Bringing in Cunningham gives the Lions a bit of an "inside edge" when game planning for Week 3. In addition to Cunningham's skillset that mimics Jackson, he has also spent over two years in the Ravens system, giving him knowledge on certain intricacies that the team has developed over the past several years.
Cunningham was also teammates with Jackson at Louisville during the 2017 season, where Cunningham was a redshirt freshman. The connection to Jackson with Cunningham should be able to allow defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard to prepare appropriately and efficiently against Baltimore.
Detroit has to do whatever it takes to get this win on the road, especially since they just lost their first road game for the first time since 2023. Back to back road losses would be brutal, and a second loss in a row to a contender would be even more concerning. If the Lions can't show they're capable of hanging in there with the Green Bay Packers or Ravens, there's a big problem on their hands.