In the wake of Emmanuel Moseley's ACL tear two plays into his team debut on Sunday, the Detroit Lions had a need for some experience at cornerback. What that potential addition would look like in terms of noteworthiness is a separate question, but the Lions made a move add an experienced cornerback on Tuesday.
Per the team announcement, the Lions released cornerback Darious Phillips and wide receiver Trey Quinn from the practice squad. Cornerback Antony Averett and tight end Anthony Firsker have been added to the practice squad in corresponding moves. NFL Network's Tom Pelissero initially reported the Lions would be signing Averett to their practice squad.
Firkser adds another body at tight end for the Lions, with Darrell Daniels elevated to the active roster to take over the fullback role from an injured Jason Cabinda and James Mitchell dealing with a hamstring issue right now.
But the headliner here, such as there can be one from practice squad maneuvering on a Tuesday in October, is Averett.
Detroit Lions practice squad: Who is Anthony Averett?
Averett has five NFL seasons under his belt. He was a fourth-round pick by the Baltimore Ravens in 2018, and spent four seasons there before last year with the Las Vegas Raiders. He has played in 51 games, starting 27. His best year came in 2021, when he started 14 games for Baltimore and had 54 total tackles, three interceptions and 11 pass breakups.
Averett battled injuries with the Raiders last year, playing in seven games around IR stints due to a broken thumb then a toe injury. He signed with the San Francisco 49ers early in training camp this year, but he was waived off their IR with an injury settlement in August.
Behind Cameron Sutton and Jerry Jacobs at outside cornerback, the Lions have undrafted rookie Stephen Gilmore and the now able to come off IR Khalil Dorsey. Neither have started an NFL game. So Averett may be on the active roster before Sunday's game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and the Lions presumably would not have signed him if he wasn't now healthy.