By Sunday 
A Busy Morning in Allen Park
The Detroit Lions made some noise Thursday morning, reshuffling their roster before their second joint practice with the Miami Dolphins. Four official moves were announced, headlined by the arrivals of offensive lineman Zack Johnson and cornerback Allan George.
For a team deep into training camp, every addition and subtraction matters — especially when injuries are starting to pile up.
Meet the New Guys
First up is Zack Johnson, a 6-foot-6, 301-pound guard from North Dakota State. If the Lions’ O-line needed more muscle, they just got it. Johnson’s been around the league since 2020, suiting up with multiple NFL teams, most recently the Tennessee Titans. He’s the kind of veteran who can fill in multiple spots and bring some stability to a unit that’s been dealing with more than its fair share of training camp bumps and bruises.
Then there’s Allan George, a 26-year-old cornerback out of Vanderbilt. You might remember him from his stint with the Cincinnati Bengals in 2022. While he’s still chasing his first NFL interception, George brings physicality, quickness, and a competitive edge — traits the Lions secondary could really use as they gear up for the season.
The Injury Fallout
Of course, new faces usually mean someone’s leaving, and this time it’s due to injury. Cornerback Dicaprio Bootle and offensive lineman Keaton Sutherland were placed on the Reserve/Injured list, sidelining them indefinitely. It’s a tough break for both players, but it opens up opportunities for Johnson and George to earn valuable preseason snaps.
Why These Moves Matter
Training camp isn’t just about learning plays — it’s about survival. With joint practices and preseason games doubling as auditions, the Lions are clearly prioritizing depth and competition. Adding a big-bodied veteran to the trenches and a quick, aggressive defender to the secondary gives them more options before final roster cuts.
In other words, Detroit’s making sure that if injuries keep popping up, they’ll have the reinforcements ready to step in.
Bottom Line
The Lions are reloading, not retreating. Johnson and George may have been late arrivals to camp, but with the right performance in the next few weeks, they could be here for the long haul.