The Detroit Lions added depth to their defensive line by signing former Washington Commanders defensive lineman Jeffrey M’ba to the practice squad on Thursday. The 27-year-old undrafted free agent out of SMU registered three tackles and a pass defended during the Lions’ preseason win over his former team, the Lions signed defensive lineman Jeffrey M’ba to their practice squad on Thursday. M’ba, a 6-foot-6, 312-pound native of Gabon, logged 84 defensive snaps across the Commanders’ preseason games, totaling eight tackles and a quarterback hit. He spent time at Independence Community College, Auburn, and Purdue before signing with Washington as an undrafted free agent last spring.

Head coach Dan Campbell confirmed that safety Brian Branch and center Cade Mays will not play in Sunday’s matchup against the Arizona Cardinals. Although Branch returned to practice on Wednesday and looked ready, the coaching staff determined he is not yet cleared for game action. Lions safety Brian Branch officially OUT vs. Arizona. Detroit during the upcoming bye week to continue conditioning with the goal of returning for the Week 7 contest against the Green Bay Packers.

The injury report also noted that Mays, who fractured his wrist in training camp, will miss his third straight game. Neither player is quite ready to play after just one week of practice. Campbell stated the team wants to be smart with both players’ recovery timelines. “We want to be as smart as we can with him,” Campbell said, emphasizing the priority on getting them fully ready for the divisional rivalry rather than rushing them back for a winless Arizona team. Both players will stay in Detroit during the bye to get their bodies ready for Week 7.

Trade Window Opens

General manager Brad Holmes faces a critical decision as the trade deadline approaches, with the secondary remaining a glaring weakness. Reports indicate the Lions are evaluating Arizona cornerback Garrett Williams as a potential target to bolster their coverage. Arizona cornerback Garrett Williams has emerged as an intriguing potential trade target. Williams, a 2023 third-round pick, offers versatility and youth but carries durability concerns after tearing his Achilles late last season. While no contact has been confirmed, the Lions’ desperation for help in the secondary makes Williams a logical evaluation point for Sunday’s game. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler included the Lions among the NFL teams that most need to make a trade, noting the team needs more than just Branch back to stabilize the defense.

League Retirements

The 2026 season has already seen the departure of several veterans, including former Lions defensive end Marcus Davenport. The first-round pick from 2018 officially announced his retirement after a career defined by injury setbacks. Marcus Davenport has made the official decision to part ways with the game. Davenport, who played in Detroit during his tenure with the team, struggled to stay healthy in recent years after signing a one-year deal with the Chicago Bears for the 2026 campaign. The 2026 season also marks the end of the career for Philadelphia Eagles tackle Lane Johnson, who decided to retire after four games in his 14th season.

This article was created by aggregating Detroit Lions news using Artificial Intelligence.