Tyson Alualu could make his Detroit Lions debut vs. Cowboys in Week 17

After placing Alim McNeill on IR early this month, the Detroit Lions signed defensive tackle Tyson Alualu to their practice squad. He surely needed some time to get into football shape after not playing all season and not being in a training camp anywhere, similar to fellow veteran signing Bruce Irvin, but it's now been three weeks.

According to Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press, Alualu would have been content if an opportunity to play didn't come this year as he spurned interest from a handful of NFL teams. His son Tyree in a senior in high school, and Alualu wanted to see as much of that football season as possible. The Lions let him travel to see his son play in the Pennsylvania state championship game, since he was not going to be active for that weekend's game against the Bears.

The Lions wound up being an ideal fit, as Alualu told Birkett.

"To be honest, I feel like it worked out perfect for my situation, cause there were interest throughout the season but I really wasn’t entertaining until it was the right time and the right fit for my situation," Alualu said. "Just the way God orchestrated it all, I couldn’t have wanted it planned out any better."

Tyson Alualu may make his Lions' debut vs. Cowboys on Saturday night

However obviously, but as Birkett further reported, the Lions want to get Alualu some regular season game action to see if he's ready for (and can help them in) the playoffs. If nothing else, he's a set of fresh legs who could help a defensive line that can use some help, against a very good Cowboys' offense in Week 17 and definitely beyond.

Via Birkett, on the idea his Lions' debut could be coming Saturday night, Alualu said he's ready, grateful and excited for the opportunity.

"I feel like it’s been a good three weeks," Alualu said. "I feel like last week I was ready to go, physically, mentally, so if this is the opportunity to do it, I’m just grateful and excited to get this opportunity."

Alualu has been lost in the shuffle of some bigger news regarding players returning from injury, etc. But his Lions' debut, and potential contribution to a playoff run, should not be set dismissed as unimportant just yet.