Lions take practice squad flier on former All-Pro safety Jamal Adams

The Detroit Lions have been hit hard by injuries to their defense, and they've gone quickly about trying to fill the void. After adding linebacker Kwon Alexander and defensive lineman Jonah Williams and Myles Adams from other team's practice squads on Saturday, they've made a move to add someone to their practice squad.

According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the Lions will sign former three-time Pro Bowl safety Jamal Adams to their practice squad "with the idea he'll be elevated to Detroit's roster" as he'd been eyeing an opportunity with a playoff contender.

Adams played three games for the Tennessee Titans this season, before they released him on Oct. 17.

Adams made three Pro Bowls and earned one All-Pro nod during his time with the New York Jets and Seattle Seahawks. Injuries limited him to just 10 games with Seattle over the 2022 and 2023 seasons, and he barely played for the Titans (20 defensive snaps) before they let him go in October.

How will Jamal Adams fit with the Lions?

The Lions are course well situated at safety with Kerby Joseph and Brian Branch asserting themselves as the best tandem in the league. But Adams can still be a great fit.

Adams is getting far removed from his best days at this point, and when he has been healthy lately he has been a liability in coverage. But he could certainly fit in a hybrid box safety/linebacker role like what Ifeatu Melifonwu did (and was so effective at) late last season. Adams had 9.5 sacks for the Seahawks in 2020, and 6.5 sacks the season before that for the Jets.

Speaking of Melifonwu, the Lions bringing in Adams may be an acknowledgement he's out for the season (and he'll miss the entire season, actually). As he was nearing the end of his 21-day activation window to come off IR after an ankle injury he suffered during the preseason, head coach Dan Campbell said Melifonwu would remain out "a while" due to a new injury (listed on injury reports as a finger issue). His IR clock was reset procedurally, activated then put back on IR, but the idea Melifonwu could miss the season has easily lingered.

If Adams can be healthy, he could be impactful for the Lions down the stretch and into the playoffs. But that's hardly a guarantee, as he's more name than game at this point.