By Moses Joshua 
A Critical December Shake-Up as Detroit Tries to Stay Afloat in the NFC Playoff Race
The Detroit Lions didn’t waste a moment reshaping their roster after a high-stakes win over the Dallas Cowboys in Week 14. With injuries mounting and a playoff chase intensifying, Detroit executed a series of decisive personnel moves designed to stabilize a roster stretched thin on defense.
Filling the Brian Branch Void
Detroit Adds Veteran Safety Damontae Kazee
The biggest headline, of course, centers on the team’s attempt to replace Brian Branch, who suffered a season-ending Achilles injury during “Thursday Night Football.” Losing one of their most dynamic defenders created an immediate need — and the Lions responded quickly.
Detroit announced on December 8:
“Lions announce roster moves: Released WR Andrew Armstrong from the Practice Squad. Signed S Damontae Kazee and DL Pat O’Connor to the Practice Squad.”
Kazee, 32, brings instant experience and stability to a battered secondary. The nine-year veteran has logged 111 appearances and 63 starts, spending time with the Falcons, Cowboys, Steelers, Browns, and now Detroit. Despite playing primarily on special teams for Cleveland this season, his résumé is undeniable:
- 363 tackles
- 24 pass breakups
- 17 interceptions
- 7 forced fumbles
He’s the type of plug-and-play defender Detroit desperately needs — someone who can absorb the scheme quickly and step in as injuries continue to pile up.
A Familiar Face Returns
Pat O’Connor Rejoins the Lions’ Rotation
Alongside Kazee, Detroit brought back defensive lineman Pat O’Connor, a player well-known to the coaching staff and locker room. O’Connor appeared in 12 games last season and already has eight games and three starts under his belt in 2025.
His value extends beyond rotational defensive line play.
O’Connor has logged 143 special teams snaps this season, and historically, that’s where his impact has been felt most. Across eight NFL seasons — including six with the Buccaneers — he has carved out a reputation as a reliable, assignment-sound special teamer. With Detroit’s injury situation worsening, his versatility is especially valuable.
Making Room: Lions Release Rookie WR Andrew Armstrong
To make space for these defensive additions, Detroit released rookie wideout Andrew Armstrong, whom they had signed just a week earlier when Amon-Ra St. Brown’s status was uncertain.
Armstrong, a nearly 6-foot-4, 205-pound undrafted rookie, was described by Jeff Risdon of USA Today’s Lions Wire as:
“a big target … [who] caught a pass against the Lions in the preseason game between the two teams.”
He produced 78 catches for 1,140 yards and a touchdown at Arkansas in 2024, but Detroit’s urgent defensive needs outweighed the developmental upside at wide receiver.
A Playoff Race Growing More Intense by the Week
Detroit Fighting to Stay Alive in Crowded NFC Picture
With four games left, the Lions are trying to navigate a brutal injury wave while clinging to postseason hopes. Detroit sits at 8-5, trailing both Green Bay (9-3-1) and Chicago (9-4) in the NFC North.
In the wildcard race, the Lions currently hold the No. 8 seed, just outside the playoff cut. Their postseason chances sit at roughly 52 percent, according to current projections — a number that shifts dramatically with each result.
Detroit’s finishing stretch is unforgiving:
- at Los Angeles Rams (10-3)
- vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
- at Minnesota Vikings
- at Chicago Bears
Every move counts, and every roster spot matters. Monday’s signings weren’t flashy — but they were necessary, calculated, and emblematic of a team battling for every inch in December.
The Lions may be battered, but they’re not backing down.