Detroit placed safety Thomas Harper on injured reserve Saturday after an ankle injury. He must miss four weeks and is eligible to return in Week 7 at the earliest. The Lions elevated safety Jalen Mills and linebacker Amen Ogbongbemiga for their Week 3 game against the Jets.
That leaves Detroit without four of its top five safety options: Avonte Maddox is on IR with a season-ending injury requiring surgery, while Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph remain on the physically unable to perform list. Christian Izien is shifting from his starting nickel role to safety alongside Chuck Clark for Week 3.
Mills, entering his 11th NFL season, rejoined the practice squad earlier this week and played three Lions games late last season. Ogbongbemiga adds sixth-linebacker depth and special-teams help as rookie Jimmy Rolder works back from a hamstring injury and Joe Bachie has been released. Coach Dan Campbell said rookie Keith Abney may be needed at safety; Bishop Fitzgerald, signed off the Steelers' practice squad this week, needs time to learn Detroit's playbook.
