Lions Add Veteran TE With Local Roots Amid Series of Roster Moves
As the Detroit Lions prepare for a pivotal matchup with the Dallas Cowboys, the team has made a handful of roster adjustments to reinforce key positions.
According to the NFL transactions report, Detroit executed six moves ahead of Thursday Night Football. The Lions signed tight end Giovanni Ricci, wide receiver Andrew Armstrong, and running back Jabari Small to the practice squad, while claiming tight end Hayden Rucci off waivers from the Miami Dolphins. In corresponding moves, defensive back Tre Flowers and guard Netane Muti were released.
The tight end additions come at a critical time. Starter Sam LaPorta suffered a back fracture in Week 10 and will likely miss the rest of the season. Backup Brock Wright is also out with a neck and trachea injury that head coach Dan Campbell has described as potentially “long-term.” Until help arrives, Ross Dwelley, Anthony Firkser, and Zach Horton headline a thin depth chart.
Ricci Returns to Michigan
Ricci, originally from Ohio, played his college football at Western Michigan. He joined the Broncos as a 6-foot-3, 195-pound receiver before transitioning into a 240-pound tight end by his senior year, ultimately becoming a John Mackey Award semifinalist.
During his final collegiate season, he caught 51 passes for 642 yards and eight touchdowns, ranking among the top tight ends in the nation. A First Team All-MAC selection, he also appeared in the East-West Shrine Game and graduated with a finance degree in 2019.
Despite a lacerated spleen ending his sophomore year early, Ricci went on to become one of WMU’s most dependable players, earning the Iron Bronco Award in 2019 for playing the most snaps. Over 45 games (21 starts), he posted 98 catches for 1,114 yards and 11 touchdowns.
Ricci entered the NFL with the Carolina Panthers in 2020 and spent four seasons there, appearing in 36 games with four starts. He briefly joined the Vikings in training camp this year before being waived during final roster cuts.
Two More Offensive Additions
Armstrong, who previously spent time on Detroit’s practice squad, returns after being released by the Dolphins in August. At Arkansas last season, he caught 78 passes for 1,140 yards and one touchdown across 11 games.
Small also rejoins the team after a training camp stint earlier this year. Detroit recently waived running back Craig Reynolds—who later signed with the Patriots’ practice squad—opening a path for Small to regain a depth role. He is now the team’s fifth running back behind Jahmyr Gibbs, David Montgomery, Sione Vaki, and Jacob Saylors.
Small, an undrafted free agent out of Tennessee in 2024, is 5-foot-9, 198 pounds, and known for his burst, though his 4.59 40-yard dash shows average long speed. He has yet to make his NFL debut.
No Comment! Be the first one.