The pressure is now on for the Detroit Lions to make the next step and reach a Super Bowl for the first time in franchise history on the heels of the most impressive two-year run the organization has ever had.
Detroit has done the work to fine-tune its roster this offseason to put itself in the best position possible to get over the hump in 2025, which includes two recent roster moves ahead of the team’s second preseason game on Friday against the Atlanta Falcons.
Detroit shared on X on Thursday afternoon that it has placed cornerback Ennis Rakestraw on the reserve/injured list and signed tight end Steven Stilianos from the UFL’s San Antonio Brahmas.
Lions announce roster moves:
Placed CB Ennis Rakestraw on Reserve/Injured.
Signed TE Steven Stilianos. pic.twitter.com/MY8dRpI6Xc
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) August 7, 2025
The team was excited to see some growth from Rakestraw in Year 2 after he appeared in eight games last season in a reserve role, totaling six tackles in his rookie year as a second-round pick out of Missouri.
Fans will now have to wait until 2026 for that to happen, as he is now officially out for the season following shoulder surgery for the injury that caused him to leave practice early on Sunday.
The team is fortunate to have solid depth in the secondary with Terrion Arnold, D.J. Reed, and Amik Robertson slotted in as starters, but it’s disappointing for Rakestraw to miss what was supposed to be a season that featured him in a more prominent role.
Stilianos is likely just a depth signing and doesn’t have much of a path to make the team, but it’s always great to see someone from the UFL get a shot.
Perhaps he can shock the world and stick around for a while.
NEXT: Lions Sign Former UFL Tight End