WASHINGTON -- The Detroit Lions made a handful of roster moves and downgraded a linebacker to out before they play the Washington Commanders.
Malcolm Rodriguez has been downgraded to out before Sunday afternoon’s game. The linebacker has been working back in practice inside of his 21-day acclimation window over the last two weeks. Rodriguez will have to wait until next week’s trip to face the Philadelphia Eagles to make his return.
Rodriguez has been out since suffering an ACL injury last November against the Chicago Bears. The Lions signed linebacker Ty Summers to their roster earlier this week when they placed left guard Christian Mahogany on injured reserve.
Detroit also released safety Jammie Robinson and activated Daniel Thomas from injured reserve. Thomas has been back at practice for two weeks while working back from a broken forearm. The safety and key special teamer remains questionable to face the Commanders.
Robinson was signed last month but did not dress for the Lions for one game during his tenure here.
Thomas was claimed by the Lions via waivers after teams set their initial 53-man rosters after training camp. The 27-year-old has played in three games this season, logging 50 snaps on special teams and only nine on defense. That stays in line with his career to this point, with most of his work coming as a vital special teamer.
Kerby Joseph has already been ruled out due to his lingering knee injury. The All-Pro safety will miss his third straight game. But Thomas Harper has filled in admirably for those three games, and the Lions have Avonte Maddox and Thomas back in the rotation.
The Lions elevated interior offensive lineman Michael Niese from their practice squad. They needed some offensive line depth for this game, with Mahogany out, and offensive tackles Dan Skipper and Taylor Decker questionable. Decker is expected to play after continuing to deal with his persisting shoulder issue, while avoiding a serious knee injury.
Kayode Awosika is expected to get the start at left guard against the Commanders. Trystan Colon is another name to watch on the interior offensive line. And Niese is no stranger to the operation as he appeared in all 17 games on special teams last year.
Lions coach Dan Campbell has regularly mentioned those three names as reason why they feel good about their offensive line depth. Awosika has started seven games in three seasons in Detroit. Colon was a spot starter over the last two years in Arizona, and brings guard and center flexibility.
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