Detroit Lions make roster moves to further hone 53-man roster and practice squad

The semantics of the 53-man roster, IR/designated to return rules and practice squad rules made a couple roster moves inevitable for the Detroit Lions on Thursday. After general manager Brad Holmes confirmed them during his morning press conference, defensive lineman John Cominsky was placed on IR and wide receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones was added to the practice squad. Safety C.J. Moore was released from the practice squad as well.

Cominsky suffered a torn MCL during training camp a month ago. Since he spent a day on the 53-man roster, he is eligible to return from IR before the season is over if he is able. Holmes confirmed the hope Cominsky will be able to return late in the season.

"We don’t have a crystal ball as to when it will be, but we have had enough conversations that we feel good,” And we know the player well enough (with) how he’s going to attack his rehab and we feel good that hopefully later in the season we’ll have him, probably right when we need him.”

Lions place John Cominsky on IR, officially add Donovan Peoples-Jones to practice squad

When the Lions announced their practice squad on Wednesday, Peoples-Jones was a notable omission based on a previous report.

Jeremy Reisman of Pride of Detroit nicely broke down why Peoples-Jones hadn't been added to the practice squad right away, with the NFL's rules about the number of players with a certain level of experience that can be on a practice squad in play. Releasing Moore from the practice squad made the required room for Peoples-Jones.

Cominsky officially going on IR opens up a spot on the 53-man roster. The easy assumption is defensive tackle Kyle Peko, who is currently on the initial practice squad, will fill that spot. There is one open spot on the practice squad right now, perhaps to be filled by a kicker, with a second spot seemingly set to come open when/if Peko is added to the active roster.