Detroit Lions bring running back Mohamed Ibrahim back on practice squad

After David Montgomery left Sunday's game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Detroit Lions were down to Craig Reynolds and practice squad elevation Devine Ozigbo at running back. Zonovan Knight suffered a shoulder injury in Week 5, and is expected to miss the rest of the season.

Montgomery is set to miss some time, so even if Jahmyr Gibbs is able to return in Week 7 against the Baltimore Ravens, depth is a concern.

In a move to address that, and according to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network, the Lions are signing Mohamed Ibrahim to their practice squad.

The Lions signed Ibrahim as an undrafted free agent, and gave him the kind of guaranteed money that pointed to a legit shot to make the 53-man roster. But an injury in the preseason opener led to him being waived in August and eventually released with an injury settlement. The parameters of the injury settlement have expired, opening the door for him to possibly come back to the Lions.

Detroit Lions bring Mohamed Ibrahim back on the practice squad

If not for the preseason injury, Ibrahim may have made the Lions 53-man roster going into the season.

Ibrahim topped 1,000 yards three times in five seasons at the University of Minnesota. In 2022, he led the Big Ten with 1,665 rushing yards and 20 touchdowns on the ground. If not for an injury in the 2021 season opener, where had 163 yards against Ohio State, he surely would have a big season.

The Lions have an open spot on the practice squad after adding offensive lineman Dan Skipper to the active roster for Week 6, so a corresponding move to adding Ibrahim is not necessary.

Ibrahim could be called upon to be the on the Lions' active roster this week, or he could stay on the practice squad as a developmental guy. Either may, bringing a familiar face to add a body at running back made a lot of sense.