Detroit Lions Fill Final Practice Squad Spot with Former All-American Edge Rusher Andre Carter II

The Detroit Lions have recently bolstered their defensive edge rushing options by signing former Army standout Andre Carter II to their practice squad after he was waived by the Las Vegas Raiders. Carter, known for his impressive college performance with 15.5 sacks in 2022, played 12 games as a rookie with the Minnesota Vikings and appeared in three games for the Raiders in 2024, showing potential as a pass rusher during preseason. Despite these additions, the Lions currently carry just three edge rushers on their initial 53-man roster and have dealt with injuries and waivers in that position, including Josh Paschal's injury and Ahmed Hassanein's injury settlement. To address depth concerns, the Lions claimed defensive linemen Tyler Lacy and Tyrus Wheat off waivers, adding further reinforcement to one of their thinnest units. The team's management, led by GM Brad Holmes, has emphasized maintaining a high standard for their roster, opting to keep only 50 players initially to retain flexibility for future improvements rather than filling all 53 spots indiscriminately. The Lions continue to maneuver through roster adjustments, balancing immediate needs with strategic long-term planning as they approach the regular season.