REAPORT: Before the post season the Detroit Lions place two players on injured reserve.
ALLEN PARK — One day before the Detroit Lions take on the Los Angeles Rams in the postseason, the team placed tight end James Mitchell and cornerback Jerry Jacobs on injured reserve. Detroit has added tight end Anthony Firkser and cornerback Chase Lucas to the 53-man roster in a matching move.
When playing versus Los Angeles, the loss of Mitchell can be particularly felt. Prodigious rookie tight end Sam LaPorta is classified as doubtful versus Los Angeles as he recovers from a hyperextended left knee and a bone bruise. He might not be able to handle his usual workload even if he is cleared to play. Thus, the resources at that position are further depleted by losing a backup at this time.
Brock Wright is still Detroit’s tight end, and the team has also signed Firkser off the practice squad. Over the course of his six-year career, the former Harvard standout has participated in 71 games and caught 115 receptions for 1,207 yards and five scores. This season, he has made two appearances for Detroit, logging two offensive snaps and another 22 on special teams.
Conversely, Jacobs’ difficult season has encountered yet another setback. He was benched in the second part of the season after struggling at cornerback, and this week he added a knee issue to his list of ailments. He also battled a thigh problem. Now is the end of his season.
In recent weeks, Jacobs was reduced to a special teams duty. Lucas, who has played 230 special teams snaps for the team this season but was cut last week to help create way for the return of Ceedy Duce and Alim McNeill, has been re-signed by Detroit to replace their efforts.
Additionally, Detroit is temporarily promoting fullback Jason Cabinda and veteran defensive lineman Tyson Alualu from the practice squad. This season, Alualu, a 14-year veteran, will be playing for the Lions for the third time. In the last two regular season games, he played 67 defensive repetitions. Now he has no more altitudes.
A knee ailment kept Cabina out of play for a while, but last week he was back in action.
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