Lions add cornerback to help navigate preseason finale

The Detroit Lions have been dealing with a bunch of injuries at cornerback. While the news is broadly good regarding Week 1 statuses, there's still a preseason finale to play before the focus shifts to roster cuts and preparation for the season opener.

Before Wednesday's practice, the team announced the signing of cornerback Rachad Wildgoose. They had an opening on the 90-man roster after placing wide receiver Tre'Quan Smith and linebacker Malik Jefferson on IR Tuesday,

Wildgoose played collegiately at Wisconson, and he's entering his fourth NFL season. He was drafted in the sixth round of the 2021 draft by the Buffalo Bills. He was released by the Bulls at cutdowns, then signed to the practice squad before the New York Jets poached him for their active roster. He appeared in five games for the Jets as a rookie.

Wildgoose was let go by the Jets at final cuts in 2022, and the Washington Commanders brought him aboard. He appeared in 15 games for them that season, with three starts as a nickel corner. Washington signed him to a one-year deal in 2023, but let him go at roster cuts last August.

Lions add cornerback to get through preseason finale

Wildgoose did not play football last season, instead becoming a YouTuber. He signed with the Birmingham Stallions in the UFL in July for the 2025 season, but began taking tryouts with NFL teams during training camp before the Lions signed him Wednesday.

The preseason finale is mostly about getting key players to the regular season healthy, or without further injury. The injuries the Lions have makes it that they need some fully healthy bodies for Saturday's preseason finale against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Wildgoose fits that bill.

With just Wednesday's practice and whatever action he sees against the Steelers to make an impression, Wildgoose's chances to make the Lions' 53-man roster are nil. But he could do enough to land back on the practice squad, or he could land on someone else's practice squad.