The Detroit Lions on Wednesday claimed two defensive linemen off of waivers, adding Tyler Lacy and Tyrus Wheat to the active roster.
Lacy, a fourth-round draft pick in 2023, has spent the last two seasons with the Jacksonville Jaguars after playing collegiately at Oklahoma State. Wheat, who has been with the Dallas Cowboys, was an undrafted free agent that same year out of Mississippi State.
Both players have been rotational pieces through the first two years of their respective careers. Lacy played 340 defensive snaps last season, posting 25 tackles (two for loss) and nine pressures. Wheat, meanwhile, had 14 tackles (one for loss), seven pressures and a half-sack on 165 snaps.
Wheat is more of a true edge defender, someone who rushes from the outside. Lacy plays more on the inside. Of Lacy’s 340 snaps, nearly 85% of them came with him lined up as a defensive tackle, per Pro Football Focus.
The Lions now have 11 defensive linemen on the roster: Lacy, Wheat, Aidan Hutchinson, Marcus Davenport, Al-Quadin Muhammad, DJ Reader, Tyleik Williams, Roy Lopez, Mekhi Wingo, Pat O’Connor and Chris Smith.
Wheat, Hutchinson, Davenport and Muhammad are the main edge defenders, with the others more often used on the inside, though some players (such as Wingo and O’Connor) have inside-out versatility.
Originally Published: August 27, 2025 at 9:16 PM EDT