Lions' Campbell explains why team promoted Nowaske and early plan for new WR Peoples-Jones
Justin Rogers
The Detroit News
Allen Park — The Detroit Lions admittedly didn't need another linebacker on their roster, but coach Dan Campbell had an explanation for why the team signed undrafted rookie Trevor Nowaske off the team's practice squad late last week.
"Yeah, he was being poached, potentially," Campbell said. "We didn't want to lose him. We felt like we had the flexibility to make that move. We felt like we're going to need him before it's all said and done."
Nowaske, a local product who played for Salem High School (Canton) before going on to Saginaw Valley State, spent the entire offseason with the Lions, logging more than 100 defensive and special-teams snaps.
“He's a guy that is intriguing on special teams as a core player, and then in the meantime, he continues to grow at linebacker, so he's doing good," Campbell said back in August.
The numbers game proved too much to overcome when it came to making the team's initial 53-man roster, but Nowaske was quickly added to the practice squad after clearing waivers, where he's spent the duration of his rookie season. Per NFL rules, practice squad players are permitted to be signed by another team at any time.
Detroit Lions coaching staff likes Trevor Nowaske.jpg
The addition of Nowaske gives Detroit seven linebackers on the active roster. The group is led by captain Alex Anzalone, first-round draft pick Jack Campbell and Derrick Barnes. Malcolm Rodriguez, Jalen Reeves-Maybin and Anthony Pittman serve as depth, while all having significant roles on special teams.
Still, the Lions didn't want to let Nowaske walk.
"We like where he's going," Campbell said. "He's another young guy that we've got on this roster that's really developing and growing. That's a good room, all seven of those guys, counting him. It's an outstanding room, between what they're able to do defensively, but (also) special teams. We rely on them for a lot. So, he was a guy we didn't want to lose."
Welcome aboard
Less than an hour before the NFL's trade deadline, the Lions shipped a future, late-round draft pick to the Cleveland Browns for wide receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones.
During the bye week, the team got Peoples-Jones into town — hardly a challenge, since he's from Detroit — simply to give him a lay of the land at the team's Allen Park facility. They'll spend this week acclimating him as much as possible with the playbook, in hopes of getting some early contributions out of the fourth-year receiver.
"We'll get him up to speed with the playbook here, make sure he's good and healthy and just see where he is," Campbell said. "Certainly, we acquired him because we think he can help us, but I also want to make sure he's ready, mentally and physically, he's 100% ready before we do that. This week will be big for him. He was out there today, and tomorrow, we'll see where it's at, just kind of take it day-to-day."
For what it's worth, the 6-foot-2, 205-pounder hasn't appeared on an injury report once this season. At the time of the trade, his 439 offensive snaps led the Browns' receivers.
The production unfortunately didn't match the playing time, which partially explains why he was available for such a low cost. He has just eight catches for 97 yards through the first seven games this season. But in 2022, he caught 61 balls for 839 yards and three scores.
jdrogers@detroitnews.com
@Justin_Rogers
Justin Rogers
The Detroit News
Allen Park — The Detroit Lions admittedly didn't need another linebacker on their roster, but coach Dan Campbell had an explanation for why the team signed undrafted rookie Trevor Nowaske off the team's practice squad late last week.
"Yeah, he was being poached, potentially," Campbell said. "We didn't want to lose him. We felt like we had the flexibility to make that move. We felt like we're going to need him before it's all said and done."
Nowaske, a local product who played for Salem High School (Canton) before going on to Saginaw Valley State, spent the entire offseason with the Lions, logging more than 100 defensive and special-teams snaps.
“He's a guy that is intriguing on special teams as a core player, and then in the meantime, he continues to grow at linebacker, so he's doing good," Campbell said back in August.
The numbers game proved too much to overcome when it came to making the team's initial 53-man roster, but Nowaske was quickly added to the practice squad after clearing waivers, where he's spent the duration of his rookie season. Per NFL rules, practice squad players are permitted to be signed by another team at any time.
Detroit Lions coaching staff likes Trevor Nowaske.jpg
The addition of Nowaske gives Detroit seven linebackers on the active roster. The group is led by captain Alex Anzalone, first-round draft pick Jack Campbell and Derrick Barnes. Malcolm Rodriguez, Jalen Reeves-Maybin and Anthony Pittman serve as depth, while all having significant roles on special teams.
Still, the Lions didn't want to let Nowaske walk.
"We like where he's going," Campbell said. "He's another young guy that we've got on this roster that's really developing and growing. That's a good room, all seven of those guys, counting him. It's an outstanding room, between what they're able to do defensively, but (also) special teams. We rely on them for a lot. So, he was a guy we didn't want to lose."
Welcome aboard
Less than an hour before the NFL's trade deadline, the Lions shipped a future, late-round draft pick to the Cleveland Browns for wide receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones.
During the bye week, the team got Peoples-Jones into town — hardly a challenge, since he's from Detroit — simply to give him a lay of the land at the team's Allen Park facility. They'll spend this week acclimating him as much as possible with the playbook, in hopes of getting some early contributions out of the fourth-year receiver.
"We'll get him up to speed with the playbook here, make sure he's good and healthy and just see where he is," Campbell said. "Certainly, we acquired him because we think he can help us, but I also want to make sure he's ready, mentally and physically, he's 100% ready before we do that. This week will be big for him. He was out there today, and tomorrow, we'll see where it's at, just kind of take it day-to-day."
For what it's worth, the 6-foot-2, 205-pounder hasn't appeared on an injury report once this season. At the time of the trade, his 439 offensive snaps led the Browns' receivers.
The production unfortunately didn't match the playing time, which partially explains why he was available for such a low cost. He has just eight catches for 97 yards through the first seven games this season. But in 2022, he caught 61 balls for 839 yards and three scores.
jdrogers@detroitnews.com
@Justin_Rogers
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