The Detroit Lions released safety Brandon Joseph on Saturday following his arrest for suspicion of operating under the influence, as confirmed by Dearborn Heights police, according to the Free Press.
Paul Vanderplow, the DHPD director, stated that Joseph was stopped for speeding on Michigan Avenue at approximately 1:47 a.m. Saturday. He was taken into custody for “a few hours” before being released. Vanderplow noted that while Joseph was speeding, it was not “excessive speed.”
“He was very compliant, he was very respectful,” Vanderplow remarked. “He went through the battery of tests, through those tests now we have some analysis to go through before charges can be done, as we do with any other suspicion of OUI. He’ll go through that process, and then go through the court process like anybody else.”
DAVE BIRKETT’S SCOUTING REPORT: Why I believe they will rebound against the Chicago Bears
Vanderplow did not confirm whether Joseph underwent a breathalyzer test or its results but did mention that police conducted a blood draw following his arrest.
In response to the situation, the Lions waived both Joseph and return man Maurice Alexander. They also activated Ifeatu Melifonwu from injured reserve and signed three players from the practice squad: receiver Tom Kennedy, and defensive linemen Chris Smith and Mitchell Agude.
Melifonwu, who has missed the season so far due to Achilles and finger injuries, returned to practice this week after coming off IR. While he’s listed as questionable for Sunday’s game, Lions coach Dan Campbell suggested on Friday that Melifonwu might play a part in the defense, which is depleted by injuries.
The Lions currently have six defensive starters on injured reserve, and recently lost starting cornerback Carlton Davis (jaw) and defensive tackle Alim McNeill (ACL) to injuries.
“He’s gotten a little better every day,” Campbell said of Melifonwu. “It’s good to have him back and it’s good to see him out there, functioning, working the position, and so that’s a good thing.”
Joseph, an undrafted free agent from Notre Dame who signed with the Lions last spring, had played about 20% of the team’s defensive snaps as their third safety and approximately a quarter of special-teams snaps this season. He took over as the second special-teams gunner after Khalil Dorsey broke his leg in the Lions’ loss to the Buffalo Bills.
In addition, the Lions (12-2) elevated running back Jermar Jefferson and safety Loren Strickland from the practice squad for Sunday’s game against the Chicago Bears (4-10) and waived defensive lineman David Bada from injured reserve with an injury settlement.
