Jackson Meeks is elevated from Detroit's practice squad ahead of Week 4 against Cleveland, giving the Lions a deeperWR option after he led the team in preseason receiving (11 catches, 176 yards). Daniel Thomas lands on injured reserve with a broken forearm, opening a roster spot and potentially boosting Meeks' special-teams role if he plays. Lovett remains a focal point, but Meeks could contribute in relief and as a gunner.

Meeks' promotion is not permanent, and Detroit will eventually fill the 53-man roster spot created by Thomas' IR stint. The move signals an emphasis on testing young pass-catchers and ST versatility early in the season as Week 4 looms and the Browns provide a stern matchup.

Detroit added Thomas Harper off waivers from Las Vegas to fill the Lions’ final 53-man roster spot. Harper started five games and appeared in 15 for the Raiders last season. The move came after Detroit traded Tim Patrick to the Jaguars for a draft pick, signed ex-Jaguars safety Daniel Thomas, and added two defensive linemen off waivers. Harper will compete with Thomas and other defensive backs for roles in a crowded Detroit secondary.

Additionally, the Lions are integrating Harper into a group that already features seasoned safeties and versatile defensive backs, signaling a push for depth and upside in IDP formats. Fantasy players should monitor how he works into sub-packages and special-teams, as any early path to starting snaps could unlock immediate fantasy utility.

Detroit signs Daniel Thomas after trading Tim Patrick to Jacksonville, trimming the roster to 50 and reshaping the safety depth chart. Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph remain the starting pair, with Rock Ya-Sin and Avonte Maddox added versatility in the secondary. Thomas brings 71 Jaguars games and 1,184 special-teams snaps, underscoring a shift toward depth and coverage ability over pure defensive upside.

The Patrick move to Jaguars clears cap and space for Lions decisions, while Thomas’ signing reinforces Detroit’s emphasis on special-teams value and cohesive camp performance. Dan Campbell stressed evaluating the full body of work, not just preseason flashes, as Detroit curates a 50-man active roster for Week 1.