Lions make several roster moves ahead of Week 10 vs. Texans

On Saturday, leading into Sunday night's game against the Houston Texans, the Detroit Lions announced several roster moves.

• Waived DL Isaiah Thomas
• Placed LB Jalen Reeves-Maybin on Injured Reserve
• Signed TE Shane Zylstra, LB Abraham Beauplan and DL Al-Quadin Muhammad to the active roster from the practice squad
• Elevated LB Ezekiel Turner and OL Jamarco Jones from the practice squad to the Active/Inactive list

Detroit Lions do some roster shuffling for Week 10 vs. Texans

The Lions had one spot open on their 53-man roster after waiving rookie wide receiver Isaiah Williams this week (he was claimed by the Cincinnati Bengals). They created two more openings by placing Reeves-Maybin on IR and waiving Thomas, then they filled the three openings by signing Zylstra, Beauplan and Muhammad to the active roster from the practice squad.

Zylstra was at the limit of three practice squad elevations, so he had to be signed to the 53-man roster if the Lions wanted to play him again this season. He has clearly earned the No. 3 tight end spot.

Muhammad had simply played better than Thomas, particularly in Week 8 against the Tennessee Titans, and after two practice squad elevations he is now on the active roster. Thomas could be brought back on the practice squad.

Beauplan was waived then re-signed to the practice squad this week. He fits the bill as a depth linebacker to take Reeves-Maybin's spot on the active roster, and Malcolm Rodriguez will also miss Sunday night's game.

Reeves-Maybin suffered a neck injury in Week 9. So the Lions will be down one of the best special team players in the league, not to mention a lauded veteran leader, for at least the next four games.

Newly-signed linebacker Ezekiel Turner will be elevated from the practice squad for Week 10, as will Jones, who has been on the Lions' practice squad all season. Turner is a more direct replacement for Rodriguez, while Jones is an experienced depth option (or possible a starting option?) along the offensive line with left tackle Taylor Decker out for Sunday night.