Lions look like they're going to have trouble with some NFL roster rules again this year
Injuries are the absolute worst, and they have bitten the Detroit Lions right in the butt in the last two years. The good news is that things seem to be trending up in that department at the moment. They're slated to get some guys back from injury pretty soon. But they're also in a spot now where they really can't afford anything else that's going to send a player to the IR with the possibility of returning.
Lions are already pushing up against the allotted players they can bring back from injured reserve in a year
This one needs a little gymnastics to figure out. Right now, the Lions haven't actually used one of the eight returns they're allowed to use. But they're about to with safety Daniel Thomas returning to practice on Tuesday. That leaves seven spots left. Now you just have to use your imagination a little.
D.J. Reed is expected to come back as early as next week, Marcus Davenport is eligible to come back now, Zach Cunningham can come back in four weeks, Khalil Dorsey can come back in November, and Giovanni Manu can come back mid-November. That's six spots right there.
Malcolm Rodriguez is coming back this week, and Josh Paschal and Miles Frazier can come back at some point, since those guys are on the reserve physically unable to perform and Non-Football Injury lists, they do not count against those eight designated to return spots. So the Lions get lucky there.
So what does this mean for the rest of the season? What it could mean is that the Lions operate similarly to what they did last year with David Montgomery. They just didn't put him on IR, and therefore, they didn't have to worry about using a spot. That's the easiest way to counter this. Another is that you simply hope nobody gets hurt the rest of the year, and it doesn't matter. But as we know, that's not really something that happens in football.
The Lions do get some help with this later in the year when playoff time comes. They're able to get two extra return spots in the postseason. So if they need to add someone later in the year, they can do that comfortably knowing they can bring them back later. For now, just watch how the Lions handle injuries. They may decide to just have an injured player or two just wait it out on the 53-man roster to make sure they use those final two return spots well.
In the spring, the Lions proposed a rule change that would allow teams to have 95 players on their in-season roster instead of 90. Maybe they're the team leading the charge on trying to change this rule this coming spring.
Broncos Make Critical Decision About $31 Million Star in Roster Shakeup
The Denver Broncos have taken a drastic measure with 2025 free agency signing Dre Greenlaw. The news comes as the Broncos brace for the Los Angeles Chargers.
Greenlaw left the San Francisco 49ers for a three-year, $31.5 million deal with the Broncos this past spring. He was expected to help shore up a problematic area of the Broncos’ defense. It was exposed repeatedly throughout 2024 and has already shown cracks early in 2025.
However, one quad injury turned into another, landing Greenlaw on injured reserve.
Broncos Place Dre Greenlaw on Short-Term Injured Reserve
DNVR Sports’ Zac Stevens broke the news that Greenlaw will be placed on the IR. Stevens noted the timeline for his return would be week 7, when the Broncos face the New York Giants, since he was given a short-term designation.
“Breaking: The Broncos have placed LB Dre Greenlaw on short-term IR (quad) with the ability to return as soon as Week 7 vs the Giants, per sources,” Stevens posted on X on September 20. “The move will allow Greenlaw to fully recover and be ready to help the Broncos in the second half of the season.
“Smart of Broncos and Dre Greenlaw to take longer-term view of recovery rather than week-to-week to ensure he’s available down the stretch.”
CLIP
“Just a quad strain, so Greenlaw should be back at four games,” NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport posted on X on September 20.
Still, Greenlaw’s injury and the current decision loom large amid the Broncos’ decision.
Broncos Mum on Dre Greenlaw
Broncos head coach Sean Payton has declined to comment further on Greenlaw or any other player’s injuries. He cited no benefit and referred to the official injury report that is released after every practice.
The Broncos also ruled tight end Evan Engram out against the Chargers.
Greenlaw’s initial quad injury was first reported as a tear. However, the Broncos rejected that, revealing that it was, in fact, a strain. That was just the beginning of the issues, though.
Greenlaw returned to practice during the offseason program for a short time before suffering what Payton clarified is a separate quad issue. Payton also said that Greenlaw was on the schedule the Broncos wanted when asked about putting the linebacker on IR sooner.
The decision comes as a significant surprise.
It is also a blow to a Broncos team banking on its defense to help bolster a repeat of last season’s 10-win performance.
Instead, one of the Broncos’ biggest offseason decisions looms as an early disaster. At the very least, it is a significant setback. Moreover, it will stand until the Broncos can get Greenlaw back healthy and on the field.
Broncos Elevate Familiar Duo for Chargers Game
In Greenlaw’s place against the Chargers, the Broncos will once again have linebacker Garret Wallow. He received another call-up from the practice squad. He logged one assisted tackle in Week 2 against the Indianapolis Colts, logging his reps on special teams.
The Broncos are also tapping fullback Adam Prentice for more spot duty.
Those two decisions have left the door open for the Broncos to go in a different direction next week. Then, they will face the Cincinnati Bengals.
“With the #Broncos elevating FB Adam Prentice and ILB Garret Wallow from the practice squad for tomorrow’s game and the game plan in place, wouldn’t be surprised to see the team wait until next week to figure out how to fill Dre Greenlaw’s spot on the 53,” The Denver Post’s Parker Gabriel posted on X on September 20.
