The Detroit Lions have made four roster changes, waiving running back Kye Robichaux and defensive back Loren Strickland due to injuries, and signing veteran running back Trayveon Williams and cornerback Ekow Boye-Doe.
The Lions announced Sunday that Robichaux and Strickland have been waived with injury designations, a move that ends two roster pushes disrupted by injuries. Robichaux suffered a foot injury during Detroit's preseason loss to the Cincinnati Bengals, and Dan Campbell revealed Saturday that the rookie may have broken a bone.
The Lions have now waived Robichaux with an injury designation, cutting short an encouraging summer. Campbell praised Robichaux for his durability, effort, and willingness to maximize every opportunity before the injury.
Strickland's departure removes another player from Detroit's crowded defensive back competition. The safety had been competing behind a veteran-heavy group that includes Kerby Joseph, Brian Branch, Christian Izien, Chuck Clark, and Thomas Harper.
Trayveon Williams, a veteran running back, has been added to the roster. Williams has appeared in 75 NFL regular-season games and has carried the ball 72 times for 343 yards, averaging 4.8 yards per attempt.
Detroit is not asking Williams to become a featured back. The Lions need someone who can handle preseason carries, protect the quarterback, and contribute on special teams while Isiah Pacheco and Jacob Saylors recover. Williams brings experience in each area, which is why Detroit's decision to add the veteran running back made sense.
Ekow Boye-Doe, a 26-year-old cornerback, has been signed by the Lions. Boye-Doe entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2023. He has a notable athletic profile, running the 40-yard dash in approximately 4.38 seconds and posting a 37-inch vertical jump during the pre-draft process.
Detroit is not signing Boye-Doe to immediately challenge D.J. Reed for a starting position. The Lions need another healthy cornerback who can run, cover kicks, and absorb practice repetitions during a demanding stretch of camp. Boye-Doe now gets two preseason games to make Detroit reconsider how temporary this addition should be.
The Lions needed healthy players, and they found two with NFL experience and traits worth evaluating. Williams enters a running back competition involving Saylors, Sione Vaki, and Jabari Small, while Boye-Doe faces an equally crowded defensive back room.
The Lions' latest roster shuffle was driven by injuries. Robichaux's promising camp ended with a foot injury, while Strickland lost his final opportunity to climb a crowded safety depth chart. Williams gives the Lions a dependable veteran at running back, and Boye-Doe brings legitimate speed to the secondary.
The Lions will continue to monitor the progress of their new additions, particularly Boye-Doe, who will have two preseason games to make an impression. The team will also keep an eye on Williams, who will be competing for a spot in the running back rotation.
Source: Yahoo Sports