Overview
- Jalen Mills was released from Detroit’s practice squad on Tuesday, Oct. 13, after using the three standard practice‑squad elevations allowed this season.
- Under NFL rules a player can be elevated from the practice squad only three times without being signed to the 53‑man roster, so keeping Mills would have required the Lions to add him to the active roster.
- Mills played 26 defensive snaps and six special‑teams snaps for Detroit this year and totaled three tackles, according to Pro Football Focus.
- The move follows heavy turnover in Detroit’s secondary, with Avonte Maddox and Thomas Harper on injured reserve and Brian Branch expected to return after the bye while rookie Keith Abney has earned expanded snaps.
- Releasing Mills preserves a roster spot and gives the Lions short‑term flexibility, and the team could re-sign him later — which would reset his elevation eligibility — if injuries or matchups create a need.