On Tuesday, the Detroit Lions announced two roster moves, both creating vacancies on the team’s 53-man roster.
As expected, rookie linebacker Jimmy Rolder was placed on injured reserve after suffering what coach Dan Campbell called a season-ending injury. It was officially announced to be a hamstring injury, and Campbell said surgery could be an option for the former Wolverine.
“Jimmy Rolder is going to need surgery, or he might. The fact is it’s a significant injury. He’ll be out for the season,” Campbell said Monday.
It’s a tough break for Rolder. He missed much of training camp with a hamstring injury, and Sunday was his first significant action on defense of the year. In just 17 snaps, Rolder recorded five tackles, one sack and another tackle for loss. Combined with the indefinite loss of Jack Campbell, the Lions are a bit shorthanded at linebacker.
The other decision the Lions made was waiving rookie safety Bishop Fitzgerald. Undrafted in 2026, Fitzgerald was left off the Steelers’ practice squad when the Lions were particularly vulnerable at the safety position. But with the recent return of Brian Branch – albeit in the concussion protocol this week – and with the upcoming return of Kerby Joseph, Fitzgerald may have been just the odd man out. It’s worth noting that last week, Campbell reported that Thomas Harper was also close to returning from injury.
At this point, it’s unclear what exactly the Lions plan to do with the other open roster spot.
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