By Moses Joshua 
Detroit Adds Depth Up Front as Injuries Continue to Test Offensive Line Stability
The Detroit Lions are continuing to patch up their offensive line as injuries keep chipping away at what was once the team’s most stable and dominant position group. Instead of pulling off a last-minute trade before the deadline, Detroit made a quieter — but potentially important — move to strengthen its depth.
According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, the Lions are signing undrafted offensive lineman Jack Conley to their practice squad, adding a fresh face to a battered unit that has seen key starters sidelined in recent weeks.
A Familiar Face From Boston College Joins the Fold
Conley, a Boston College product, started for three seasons from 2022 to 2024 and brings with him both size and flexibility. Standing at 6-foot-7 and 325 pounds, he saw action at both tackle spots, left guard, and even lined up as a tight end during his collegiate career.
He also shares a direct connection to the current Lions roster — he was a college teammate of injured guard Christian Mahogany, who is recovering from a leg injury expected to keep him out until late December.
While Conley’s NFL experience is limited — he hasn’t yet taken a regular-season snap — his versatility and frame offer Detroit a developmental option to groom in practice. In the preseason, Conley appeared in 76 snaps for the New England Patriots, allowing just one pressure on 28 pass-blocking snaps and earning a 68.3 grade from Pro Football Focus.
Though a promotion to the 53-man roster doesn’t seem imminent, his presence gives the Lions another body in practice and a potential long-term project to evaluate.
Detroit Parts Ways With Kenny Yeboah and Justin Herron
Shortly after the signing, the Lions announced a pair of corresponding moves. The team released tight end Kenny Yeboah with an injury settlement and waived offensive lineman Justin Herron.
Yeboah, signed to a one-year deal in March, suffered an undisclosed injury during training camp and was placed on injured reserve before the start of the season. He did not appear in a game for Detroit.
Herron, who joined the Lions in August, also landed on injured reserve just over a week after signing and similarly did not play a snap this season. His last in-game action came in 2023 with the Las Vegas Raiders.
Building Depth Amid Uncertainty
With Penei Sewell, Taylor Decker, and Christian Mahogany all battling injuries, the Lions are clearly looking for ways to maintain stability along the offensive front without making panic moves. Jack Conley’s addition might not make headlines, but it represents a proactive step toward shoring up depth and giving the coaching staff another option to develop internally.
As Detroit continues to navigate through the challenges of a grueling midseason stretch, having more hands in the trenches — even on the practice squad — could prove valuable down the road.