Earlier on Thursday, we suggested three veteran players the Detroit Lions might consider adding to their practice squad before the playoffs. Then, the situation changed. The Miami Dolphins are waiving former All-Pro edge rusher Shaq Barrett from the reserve retired list.
Barrett initially joined the Dolphins in the offseason but chose to retire to spend more time with his family. Now, he wants to return from retirement and play this season.
As we noted on Thursday, the Lions are in need of pass rushers. While they are getting pressures, they haven’t been as effective at finishing plays. Barrett could be a potential solution to this issue.
The good news is that while Barrett is subject to waivers, no team is likely to claim him. If a player is waived off the reserve retired list, they are not eligible to play that season. Barrett’s only chance to play this year is if he clears waivers and becomes a free agent. Once that happens, he would be free to sign with any team, and it’s likely that he would want to join a contender.
In this case, Barrett could sign with a team that plans to use him. While the Lions might not start him, he could be a valuable addition to their rotation.
As for whether Barrett would be on the practice squad, that remains uncertain. The Lions would likely sign him and spend some time getting him ready, similar to what they did with Bruce Irvin last season. The practice squad could be an ideal starting point, but Barrett may prefer to be on a 53-man roster. That’s certainly possible for the Lions, as they have two open spots, with one likely going to Jalen Reeves-Maybin, though the other spot is still uncertain.
We’ll see where Barrett ends up, but this situation could unfold quickly. He could be on a roster by the end of the week.
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Dan Campbell outlines the reasons for the Lions waiving Brandon Joseph
The Detroit Lions made several roster changes ahead of their Week 16 matchup against the Chicago Bears, including releasing safety Brandon Joseph.
Joseph, an undrafted free agent signed by the Lions in 2023, spent last season on the practice squad before earning a spot on the 53-man roster this year. He participated in all 14 games before his release, logging 182 defensive snaps and 97 on special teams.
On the day of his release, Joseph was arrested on suspicion of operating under the influence, according to Dearborn Heights police, who shared the details with the Detroit Free Press’ Dave Birkett. This incident likely played a role in the Lions’ decision to cut him.
“Dearborn Heights police tell me Brandon Joseph, who was waived by the Lions this afternoon, was pulled over for speeding on Michigan Avenue and arrested for suspicion of operating under the influence,” Birkett reported. “They stress he was completely compliant, detained and released.”
While the arrest contributed to the decision, Lions head coach Dan Campbell also cited a roster crunch as another factor.
“Dan Campbell said Brandon Joseph’s release was ‘the perfect storm’ combination of roster crunch and the off-field incident. He said he felt like he had to make that move,” Birkett wrote.
Earlier that week, the Lions activated safety Ifeatu Melifonwu from injured reserve, which made Joseph’s departure more manageable. Melifonwu played 51 snaps, allowing Brian Branch to move to the slot and Amik Robertson to cover the boundary for the injured Carlton Davis. Melifonwu quickly made an impact, recording one sack, three pressures, and allowing no receptions on the one target thrown his way, according to Pro Football Focus.
The Lions will return to action on Monday night in Week 17, hosting the San Francisco 49ers—the team that defeated them in last season’s NFC Championship Game. The 49ers have already been eliminated from playoff contention, while the Lions can secure the No. 1 seed and the NFC North title with a win and a Minnesota Vikings loss to the Green Bay Packers.
