Former Pittsburgh Steelers safety Damontae Kazee signed with the Detroit Lions’ practice squad on Monday, according to multiple reports. Kazee was cut by the Cleveland Browns in November, and after a tryout with the Lions, he now joins the team.
The Lions lost standout nickel cornerback and safety Brian Branch for the season after he suffered a torn Achilles on Thursday.
Kazee is in his ninth season in the NFL, and the Browns were his fourth team. A fifth-round pick out of San Diego State in the 2017 NFL Draft, Kazee has played for the Atlanta Falcons and Dallas Cowboys in addition to the Steelers and Browns. He spent three seasons with the Steelers from 2022 to 2024.
Kazee, 32, and has dealt with some major injuries in his career, but has remained healthy over the last two seasons. In 15 games, Kazee made one interception and 31 tackles while coming in on those three safety packages.
The Steelers could see Kazee in two weeks when they head to Detroit and face the Lions. With Kerby Joseph also battling a knee injury that has sidelined him, the Lions are thin enough at safety to where Kazee could see some playing time.