The Detroit Lions have signed veteran running back Devine Ozigbo for the second time in as many weeks.
The Lions signed the 27-year-old to their active roster ahead of their October 30 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders, but he was removed three days later. One week later, the Lions have added Ozigbo to their practice squad, adding depth to a critical position.
Devine Ozigbo Back Again
According to Jeff Risdon of USA Today’s Lions Wire, Ozigbo was released last week in order for the Lions to sign linebacker Trevor Nowaske to the active roster.
Ozigbo began the season on the practice squad for Detroit, but was promoted twice before being signed to the active roster for the Raiders game. Ozigbo had three carries for 5 yards and one reception for 8 yards in three appearances.
Ozigbo saw action on offense and special teams in the Raiders’ October 30 victory.
Lions Getting Healthier at Running Back
The Detroit Lions may see the return of running back David Montgomery to their backfield, as he was a full participant in practice on November 9. Montgomery, who had been taking a cautious approach to his recovery, expressed feeling better and the bye week provided additional time for recuperation.
With Montgomery’s potential return, the Lions could introduce new offensive strategies. Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson hinted at the possibility of pairing Montgomery with rookie running back Jahmyr Gibbs in the backfield simultaneously.
“It’s always a fun exercise to do, and certainly do it at the end of the season, the bye week’s another good time to do it,” said Johnson. He explained that teams often identify their top 11 offensive players and aim to have them on the field together. Both Montgomery and Gibbs are seen as key contributors within this group.
While the specifics of how both running backs would be utilized simultaneously were not disclosed, Johnson expressed confidence in their ability to handle the challenge. He mentioned that Montgomery and Gibbs are well-versed in the entire gameplan, allowing for different deployment strategies, whether by series or play-specific situations. This potential combination could add a new dimension to the Lions’ offensive approach.
Leave a Reply