The Detroit Lions have added a player to the roster ahead of the scheduled report day for veterans, as training camp is about to be in full swing.
With Khalil Dorsey added to the Physically Unable to Perform list on Thursday and Stantley Thomas-Oliver added to the Non-Football Injury list, Detroit needed to bring in a defensive back to offset those absences.
Fortunately, Dan Campbell and company did not have to look very far to find their target. The Lions brought back a prospect from their rookie minicamp earlier in the offseason and signed him to a deal on Friday.
Lions Sign UDFA DB Tyson Russell to Replace Injured Vet Ahead of Camp
Former Vanderbilt Commodores defensive back Tyson Russell has signed a contract with the Lions after impressing during a private workout on Friday, according to Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston.
#Lions signed rookie defensive back Tyson Russell @VandyFootball to a contract following a successful workout today, per a league source @KPRC2
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) July 18, 2025
Russell made enough of an impression during his time in the team's rookie minicamp to garner the workout invite following the roster moves involving Dorsey and Thomas-Oliver. He clearly made the most of that opportunity as the front office was quick to sign him to a training camp deal.
The defensive back was a four-year player for the Commodores and racked up 92 total tackles, five pass deflections, three tackles for a loss, and one interception over 44 career games. Now, the son of NFL veteran Twan Russell will look to forge his path in the league, and that journey will begin in Detroit.
It will be an uphill battle for Russell to make the team once training camp gets going and the full roster is on the field. The former Vanderbilt defender has his foot in the door, though. The opportunity to show his worth to the decision-makers with the Lions is at his doorstep, and Russell would be wise to take full advantage of it.
Even if Detroit isn't the perfect fit for Russell as he navigates his way through finding a home within the league as an undrafted free agent, the rest of the league will see the work he puts in with the Lions.
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