Detroit defensive back Saivion Smith went on practice squad/injured reserve on Wednesday, 10 days after he left the Lions’ game against the New England Patriots in an ambulance.
The former Alabama standout sustained an injury on a second-and-9 snap in the first quarter against the New England Patriots on Oct. 9.
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Smith jammed New England tight end Hunter Henry, who was lined up in the slot, as the receiver came off the line of scrimmage. But after contacting Henry, Smith spun and fell face first to the turf at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts.
The Lions announced Smith had been taken to a hospital to be evaluated for a neck injury.
Detroit had an open date on Sunday and has not played since its 29-0 loss to the Patriots.
With the Lions preparing to return to the field against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday, Detroit coach Dan Campbell provided an update on Smith during his Wednesday press conference.
“He’s doing good,” Campbell said. “However, we’re getting some things looked at with him. Actually, we’re sending him to a doctor tomorrow. We don’t see residual head effects, things of that nature. He’s clear. He’s in good spirits, other than being frustrated that he’s not going to be able to play. So from that regard he’s good. He has his feeling, all that stuff. But there’s some other things were looking at with him.”
Smith was able to return to Detroit with his teammates after the game, but he has entered the NFL’s concussion protocol. By going on injured reserve, Smith will have to miss the next four games.
The Lions had elevated Smith from the practice squad for the game against New England, and he started at safety in his 2022 debut and 10th NFL regular-season game.
Three other players from Alabama high schools and colleges appeared on Wednesday’s NFL transactions report:
· Anthony Averett (Alabama) returned to practice for the Las Vegas Raiders, who designated the cornerback for return from injured reserve. Averett broke his right thumb in Las Vegas’ season-opening game on Sept. 11. The Raiders will have 21 days to restore Averett to the active roster.
· Wide receiver Kawaan Baker (South Alabama) signed with the Green Bay Packers’ practice squad after being waived by the New Orleans Saints on Monday. A seventh-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, Baker spent most of his rookie season on the Saints’ practice squad but had 27 special-teams plays in two games. On Aug. 2, the NFL suspended Baker for the first six games of the 2022 season for violating the league’s Policy on Performance-Enhancing Substances. His suspension ended on Monday.
· Edge rusher Trey Flowers (Columbia) was placed on injured reserve by the Miami Dolphins. Flowers sustained a foot injury in Sunday’s 24-16 loss to the Minnesota Vikings. A two-time Super Bowl champion with the Patriots, Flowers joined Miami on Aug. 28 after being released by the Lions as a salary-cap casualty during the offseason. He was playing in his fourth game with the Dolphins.
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Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter at @AMarkG1.
