ESPN REPORT: Detroit Lions Sign Elite Strong Mega-Star To Michigan.

With OTAs set to begin next week, the Detroit Lions are shuffling their roster and have released a rookie tight end and signed a former Michigan player.

The Detroit Lions filled out their 90-man roster following a successful rookie minicamp and tryout period, but with OTAs set to begin next week, they continue to shuffle their roster. On Thursday, the Lions announced that they have signed tight end Sean McKeon and released undrafted rookie tight end Isaac Rex.

McKeon originally went undrafted out of the University of Michigan in 2020 and signed a contract with the Dallas Cowboys. He impressed enough in training camp that he earned a spot on the active roster as the team’s fourth tight end option, even starting one game during his rookie season.

Over the next four years, McKeon played 45 games with the Cowboys, including three starts, but he was mainly used as a blocker and on special teams. In total, according to PFF, he saw 428 offensive snaps and 570 special teams snaps over his career, receiving above-average grades as a blocker (79.2 pass blocking grade in 2023, 81.0 in 2022) and four-phase special teams contributor (64.7 grade in 2023, 72,2 as a rookie).

With the Lions returning their top four tight ends—Sam LaPorta, Brock Wright, James Mitchell, and Shane Zylstra—it’ll be a challenge for McKeon to crack the Lions lineup. But with the new special teams rules and Lions’ preference towards blocking tight ends, he’ll have a shot to earn a possible TE4 role in Detroit.

Rex was signed as an undrafted free agent but did not appear to do enough during rookie minicamp to warrant a spot on the roster. At this time, it’s unclear if he had a UDFA signing bonus or guarantees on his salary, and it’s unlikely they would have a significant impact on the Lions’ salary cap.

With the 2024 NFL schedule here, let’s take a look at the three most exciting weeks on the calendar this season.

Note: Games are on Sunday unless otherwise specified.

Week 17 (Dec. 25-31)
HEADLINER: Lions at 49ers, 8:15 p.m. ET • ESPN (Monday)

The penultimate week of the NFL regular season is chock full of enticing games. The headliner is a rematch of last season’s NFC Championship Game, a 34-31 49ers win. Lions head coach Dan Campbell created weeks worth of discourse with his fourth-down decisions, and he’ll likely take more bold actions in a game that could have massive stakes in the race for home-field advantage.

With the 2024 NFL schedule here, let’s take a look at the three most exciting weeks on the calendar this season.

Note: Games are on Sunday unless otherwise specified.

Week 17 (Dec. 25-31)

HEADLINER: Lions at 49ers, 8:15 p.m. ET • ESPN (Monday)

The penultimate week of the NFL regular season is chock full of enticing games. The headliner is a rematch of last season’s NFC Championship Game, a 34-31 49ers win. Lions head coach Dan Campbell created weeks worth of discourse with his fourth-down decisions, and he’ll likely take more bold actions in a game that could have massive stakes in the race for home-field advantage.

OTHER GAMES OF NOTE: Falcons at Commanders, TBD | Jets at Bills, 1 p.m. ET, CBS | Packers at Vikings, 1 p.m. ET • Fox | Raiders at Saints, 1 p.m. ET • Fox

Kirk Cousins returns to Washington, where Commanders head coach Dan Quinn takes on his former team for the first time. Saints quarterback Derek Carr gets his revenge game, too, with the Raiders travelling to New Orleans. If quarterback Aaron Rodgers has the effect on the Jets the team expects, then their game against the Bills could be huge in the AFC East race. Will J.J. McCarthy be starting at quarterback for the Vikings by the time they host the rival Packers? His potential matchup with Packers quarterback Jordan Love would certainly demand our interest.