Before Saturday's practice, the Detroit Lions made a couple roster moves. The signing of former USFL cornerback Tae Hayes was made official, with cornerback Jarren Williams waived with an injury designation in a corresponding move announced on Friday. Wide receiver Avery Davis was also signed on Saturday, with undrafted rookie edge rusher Zach Morton waived in the corresponding move there.
#Lions have signed CB Tae Hayes and WR Avery Davis and waived LB Zach Morton
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) August 5, 2023
Hayes ended last season with the New England Patriots, literally playing in Week 17 and Week 18. He played five games for the Carolina Panthers prior to that, playing a total of 70 defensive snaps and 16 special teams between the two teams last season. He entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent out of Appalachian State in 2019. He has spent time with the Jacksonville Jaguars, Miami Dolphins, Minnesota Vikings, Arizona Cardinals and the Panthers (twice). He has played a total of 13 regular season games,
Hayes played for the Birmingham Stallions of the USFL in that league's 2022 season, with 37 tackles and one interception for the league's inaugural season champions.
Detroit Lions roster: Avery Davis added to deep wide receiver competition
Davis went undrafted this year after missing all of last season at Notre Dame due to two torn ACLs-each leg between late in the 2021 season and practice before last season. In 2021, he had 386 yards and four touchdowns in eight games as an outside and slot receiver for the Fighting Irish. He was a high school quarterback, then he saw time at running back and cornerback before becoming a wide receiver to finish his career in South Bend.
Davis joins a deep set of competitors for the last wide receiver spot or two (with Jameson Williams suspended for the first six games) on the Lions' 53-man roster heading into the season--Antoine Green, Dylan Drummond, Denzel Mims, Maurice Alexander and Trey Quinn.