Lions Cut Former Starting Safety in Sudden Roster Change
The Detroit Lions have relied on a patchwork group of mostly unrecognized defensive backs this season due to a wave of injuries, a unit that even earned the tongue-in-cheek nickname “Legion of Whom” for its lack of NFL name recognition.
But with several key defenders returning, one of those temporary standouts is now looking for a new opportunity. The team announced the release of safety Erick Hallett from the active roster, clearing space for the reinforcements. The move came just hours before Detroit’s matchup with the New York Giants, a game with major playoff stakes.
Former Sixth-Rounder Logged First NFL Snaps in 2024
A 2023 sixth-round pick by the Pittsburgh Steelers, Hallett saw his first regular-season action this year, appearing in two games for Detroit and starting one. He tallied eight tackles and was targeted nine times, allowing six completions for 75 yards.
Hallett delivered a strong performance in a victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, earning recognition from defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard.
“The ‘Legion of Whom’ introduced themselves to the NFL,” Sheppard told MLive.com. He emphasized that the injury-driven shuffle created opportunities for overlooked players, praising the group’s resilience and singling out Hallett alongside others like Art Maulet and Tyrus Wheat.
Sheppard noted that the fill-ins not only held up against Tampa Bay’s passing attack but also pushed some of the team’s starters with their level of play.
Hallett could still return to Detroit via the practice squad, where he spent the early part of the season before being elevated to the active roster in October.
Lions Rebound With Overtime Victory
Detroit reclaimed first place in the NFC North with a hard-fought 34–27 overtime win against the Giants on Sunday, overcoming a deficit that lasted most of the game.
Head coach Dan Campbell said the team made some strategic gambles and benefited from key breaks. New York also took risks—most notably going for it on fourth down instead of kicking a field goal to go up by six late in the game—only to see the decision backfire.
“That easily could’ve swung the other way several times, but it didn’t,” Campbell said. “We made the plays we needed to make.”
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