Lions bolster the defensive line in surprising final Week 1 roster moves

The Detroit Lions fortified the defensive line a day ahead of Sunday night’s season opener in Ford Field. In a series of roster moves, the Lions added two defensive linemen and a wide receiver to the mix for the Week 1 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams.

The Lions signed defensive tackle Chris Smith from the practice squad to the active 53-man roster. Detroit had a vacant spot on the roster and filled it with Smith, an undrafted rookie in 2023 who played well this summer.

Signing Smith to the active roster wasn’t necessarily the expected move. Many thought it would be veteran DT Kyle Peko, who took most of the first-team reps in training camp with newcomer DJ Reader still sidelined. Peko was elevated from the practice squad for the Rams contest. Reader is questionable for Sunday night’s game.

The Lions also elevated wide receiver Tom Kennedy for the game. That’s also a bit of an unexpected turn at a positon where a practice squad move was widely anticipated. Vets Tim Patrick, Allen Robinson and Donovan Peoples-Jones all offer more size and outside ability at wideout, but Kennedy instead gets the nod.