The Detroit Lions added veteran linebacker Joe Bachie to their active roster and placed offensive guard Mason Miller on practice squad injured reserve ahead of their September 13, 2026, season opener against the New Orleans Saints, leaving one active roster vacancy as final preparations begin.
As the Detroit Lions finalize their preparations to open the 2026 NFL regular season against the New Orleans Saints on September 13, the franchise has engaged in a late flurry of roster adjustments. With training camp and the preseason complete and 51 of 53 active roster spots accounted for, front-office moves on Monday brought both reinforcements and setbacks to the depth chart.
Joe Bachie Joins Active Roster as Linebacker Depth
The Lions turned to experience by signing linebacker Joe Bachie to the active roster on Monday. Bachie is entering his seventh season in the NFL. The 28-year-old played 15 games last season (five starts), five with the Indianapolis Colts and 10 with the Tennessee Titans. He finished the campaign with 29 combined tackles (12 solo) and one pass deflection.
Bachie takes up a spot on the 53-man roster now, giving Detroit an extra body amongst a crowded linebacker room. But with rookie Jimmy Rolder missing most of training camp and not officially back yet, Detroit likely needed someone who can provide depth on gameday and play special teams. Bachie is a six-year veteran with seven career starts and over 1,100 special teams snaps.
Mason Miller Lands on Practice Squad Injured Reserve
While Bachie stepped onto the 53-man roster, guard Mason Miller suffered a training camp setback. The franchise placed Mason Miller on Practice Squad: Injured.
Speaking of IR, it’s a disappointment to see Miller land on the practice squad IR. He was a great story on the final week of training camp, because he had to be the team’s emergency center during the final preseason game and played quite well despite no experience at the position.
Unfortunately, he’ll be sidelined for at least four games. Like on the active roster IR, Miller will not count against the team’s practice squad 16-player maximum capacity.
Practice Squad Additions and Remaining Roster Vacancies
In addition to the moves involving Bachie and Miller, the Lions announced that three other players were added to the practice squad. Seth McLaughlin and Jabari Small’s return to the practice squad was expected. Both players made the team’s initial 53-man roster, but were waived later in the week in order to do some roster maneuvering.
It would not be surprising to see McLaughlin get a Week 1 practice squad elevation considering Detroit currently doesn’t have a healthy backup center behind Juice Scruggs. Small could also provide some gameday depth, but it sounds like the Lions already have other RB2 plans with Isiah Pacheco starting the season on injured reserve.
Detroit still has an empty spot on the 53-man roster. Smart money is on wide receiver Tom Kennedy to assume that spot, but the Lions may be waiting until next week to do so, because his contract would become fully guaranteed if he were on the Week 1 roster. Regardless, Kennedy is likely to be a part of Sunday’s roster, as he’s the leading candidate to be the team’s starting punt returner and fourth or fifth wide receiver.
Sam LaPorta Injury Status and Offensive Outlook
As Detroit prepares for the contest taking place on September 13, questions linger around the availability of star tight end Sam LaPorta, who is dealing with a hip injury. Head coach Dan Campbell isn’t ready to say whether he’ll be available when Detroit hosts New Orleans on Sept. 13.
It flared up a little bit, it's a little aggravated,
Campbell told reporters Thursday. But we feel good long-term about him. We'll rest him for a little bit here and letting it calm down.
Asked specifically whether the injury could linger into the regular season, Campbell offered little certainty. It’s a significant situation for the Saints to monitor over the next few weeks; LaPorta has established himself as one of the NFL’s better tight ends and is expected to play a major role in new offensive coordinator Drew Petzing’s offense.
LaPorta is coming off a difficult 2025 season. He underwent surgery in November to repair a herniated disk in his back after the injury ended his season eight games early. He finished the year with 40 receptions for 489 yards and three touchdowns.
Detroit does have some experience behind LaPorta, though. Brock Wright would be the most obvious candidate for an expanded role after catching 14 passes for 108 yards and two touchdowns in 11 games last season. Detroit also signed veteran Tyler Conklin this offseason. Former wide receiver Jackson Meeks also transitioned to tight end and has reportedly drawn positive reviews during camp.
Even without their star tight end, Detroit wouldn’t exactly be short on weapons around Jared Goff. Amon-Ra St. Brown is coming off a 117-catch, 1,401-yard, 11-touchdown season, while Jameson Williams added 1,117 receiving yards and seven touchdowns. Jahmyr Gibbs, who was given a record-setting contract extension just a few weeks ago, also remains one of the league’s most dangerous offensive players after rushing for more than 1,200 yards and catching 77 passes for another 616 yards last season.
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