In need of safety depth, the Lions have found a veteran late within the yr. Damontae Kazee is ready to affix Detroit for the stretch run.
Kazee is signing with the Lions on their practice squad, Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo of NFL Network report. If all goes well, he shall be on the team’s energetic roster briefly order. Detroit lost Brian Branch to an Achilles tear on Thursday, ending his season. The Kazee signing has since been announced by head coach Dan Campbell.
In fact, Kazee won’t be tasked with replacing Branch’s production or his place within the starting lineup. Nevertheless, he could provide the Lions with veteran depth within the secondary and on special teams. Kazee has made 111 regular season appearances within the NFL, including 4 earlier this season with the Browns.
Last month, Cleveland released Kazee. He remained on the open market since then, but this Detroit deal will allow for the ninth-year veteran to carve out a task on his latest team. The Lions are currently 8-5, good for third within the NFC North. Detroit is on the skin of the playoff picture straight away, and inconsistent play on defense (fueled in no small part by injuries, similar to in 2024) has played a key role.
The Lions rank mid-pack in a lot of defensive categories this yr, and so they are nineteenth within the NFL when it comes to passing yards allowed. Losing Branch will hinder the team’s ability to enhance in a lot of areas down the stretch, but managing to exchange him represents a significant goal for the following 4 games. Kazee – who has made 63 starts, lots of which got here early in his profession – will look to contribute in some capability. Doing so would supply a lift to his probabilities of landing a deal relatively soon in free agency come the spring.