Typically, the Detroit Lions would assign their protected practice squad players on Tuesday, but because they played their Week 2 game on Monday, they get an extra 24 hours grace period to make this decision.
They have a pretty consistent approach to the protected practice squad. Protect the quarterback position, protect the spots that are weak due to injury or need competition, and use the remaining spots to protect the players they deem the most talented on the practice squad.
This week, per the NFL transaction report, the Lions have elected to protect the maximum four players, including three of the same players from Week’s 1 and 2:
- Steven Montez, QB
- Bruce Hector, DL
- Jalen Elliott, S
- Ryan Santoso, K (New this week)
Santoso was having a solid preseason and it led to the Carolina Panthers trading for him at cutdowns.