Lions sign cornerback Essang Bassey, waive young linebacker

Tuesday was a day off from practice for the Detroit Lions, but they have made roster moves in the wake of two cornerbacks leaving Monday night's practice early. Cornerback Essang Bassey has been added, and undrafted rookie linebacker DaRon Gilbert has been waived with an injury designation.

Gilbert played well in the preseason opener against the New York Giants, but on Monday Lions' head coach Dan Campbell said he was injured during Sunday's practice and it could be a long-term thing. The Lions have had a rash of injuries at linebacker, adding Ty Summers and Abraham Beauplan in recent days.

Carlton Davis missed Monday night's practice with an undisclosed ailment. Then Terrion Arnold (upper body) and Ennis Rakestraw (ankle) left Monday night's practice, so the Lions look a little thin at cornerback heading toward the second preseason game on Saturday. Emmanuel Moseley is out indefinitely, possibly for the season, with a torn pec.

Arnold and/or Rakestraw may not have a major injury, but as of Tuesday afternoon we don't know anything beyond the update the team gave about them being evaluated for the disclosed injuries. Wednesday should bring some kind of news.

Lions add Essang Bassey to cornerback room

Bassey came into the NFL in 2020 as an undrafted rookie out of Wake Forest. He has split his first four NFL seasons between the Denver Broncos and Los Angeles Chargers, playing in 43 games with five starts mostly as a nickel corner. Last season, he played in four games for the Broncos and 11 games for the Chargers, totaling 353 defensive snaps.

Bassey seems to be a quintessential camp body for the Lions, as long as Arnold and Rakestraw are not out for a long time. But he can put some game tape out there on Saturday, and maybe in the preseason finale, to put himself on the map for other teams over what's left of the preseason.