The Detroit Lions have elevated two players from their practice squad for Sunday’s matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals, temporarily promoting cornerback Tre Flowers and offensive lineman Devin Cochran to the active roster.
Flowers, signed to the practice squad Wednesday, is in his eighth NFL season. He was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks in 2018 and has had stints with the Bengals (2021-22), Atlanta Falcons (2023), Jacksonville Jaguars (2024), Indianapolis Colts (2024) and Chicago Bears (2024). His elevation makes sense, given D.J. Reed’s presence on injured reserve.
With Reed out, Flowers should provide the Lions some depth. Expect Detroit’s starters at outside cornerback to be Terrion Arnold and Amik Robertson, the latter of whom usually plays in the slot. When the Lions are in nickel packages, Avonte Maddox could come off the bench and fill the role typically held by Robertson.
Cochran’s elevation is mildly interesting. Left tackle Taylor Decker is listed as questionable, but that’s nothing new; that’s been the veteran’s status heading into each of Detroit’s last four games, as he manages a shoulder injury. The Lions, though, have yet to use a practice squad elevation on an offensive lineman this season, until now. Cochran has played 152 career offensive snaps, with all of those coming at either right (83) or left (69) tackle.
In the event Decker, who’s played nearly 100% of Detroit’s offensive snaps this season, is unavailable, the Lions would likely start either second-year pro Giovanni Manu or Cochran. It’s also possible the Lions simply want more insurance at tackle, regardless of Decker, and are giving Cochran an opportunity against the team he started his NFL career with.
rsilva@detroitnews.com
@rich_silva18
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