Shortly after signing linebacker Kwon Alexander, the Detroit Lions are bolstering their injury-plagued defense by adding another former Pro Bowler.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Lions are signing safety Jamal Adams to their practice squad, with plans to elevate him to the active roster soon.
Adams, 29, was released by the Titans in October at his own request. After signing with Tennessee in July, he played just 20 snaps before being placed on the reserve/non-football injury list due to a hip issue.
Reports of dissatisfaction with his playing time surfaced around the same time, leading to his release.
The Jets originally selected Adams sixth overall in the 2017 NFL Draft. The LSU standout lived up to his draft status, earning Pro Bowl honors in his second and third seasons.
However, after the 2019 season, Adams sought a lucrative extension, but the Jets didn’t make an offer and reportedly considered trading him before the 2019 trade deadline.
Frustrated, Adams requested a trade in June 2020, and the Jets complied, sending him to the Seahawks in a deal that included two first-round picks.
Adams had a strong first year in Seattle, setting an NFL record for defensive backs with 9.5 sacks.
His performance earned him a four-year, $70 million contract extension before the 2021 season, making him the highest-paid safety at the time.
Unfortunately, injuries derailed his career after that, limiting him to 22 games from 2021 to 2023.
His hefty cap hit made him a likely release candidate, and the Seahawks parted ways with him in March.
Although Seattle expressed interest in re-signing him on a cheaper deal, the two sides couldn’t agree, and Adams eventually joined the Titans.
Seattle had intended to use Adams as a linebacker, which aligned closely with the in-the-box safety role he often played with the Seahawks.
However, after his brief stint in Tennessee, Adams now has a chance to revive his career in Detroit.
Despite an impressive 11-1 record in 2024, the Lions have faced significant injuries on defense.
Safety Ifeatu Melifonwu is back on injured reserve, making Adams a potential depth piece behind starters Kerby Joseph and Brian Branch.
Additionally, Detroit’s linebacker group has been hit hard by injuries, prompting the Alexander signing.
The Lions might explore using Adams at the second level of their defense, similar to Seattle’s plans, or even as a rotational pass rusher.
