The Detroit Lions announced the signing of free agent cornerback Keenan Garber on Tuesday after losing defensive back Erick Hallett the same day.
Hallett started his second game for the Lions in Sunday’s loss to the Rams while the team tries to fill the holes left by starting safeties Kerby Joseph (knee) and Brian Branch (Achilles). Joseph was expected to become available in the coming weeks but a «setback» reported by head coach Dan Campbell seems to have put a 2025 return for the All-Pro in jeopardy. Branch has been ruled out for the rest of the season.
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The Lions moved Hallett back to the practice squad after Sunday’s game, but the Tennessee Titans signed him off Detroit’s practice squad and to their active roster. Sunday’s game was his second start for the Lions and only his third game played since entering the league as an undrafted free agent in 2023.
The Lions are replacing Hallett with undrafted rookie Keenan Garber, who spent part of training camp with the Minnesota Vikings, then a few weeks with the Indianapolis Colts practice squad. Garber started two seasons at Kansas State but hasn’t seen any NFL action yet, making his signing to be unlikely to have an impact on the Lions’ playoff push.
The Lions are likely expecting Thomas Harper to return from concussion protocol this week and start at safety alongside Avonte Maddox for the foreseeable future. The only other safeties on the roster are Daniel Thomas and Jalen Mills.
This article originally appeared on Lions Wire: Lions lose practice squad DB to Titans, sign CB Keenan Garber
