Overview
- The Lions signed running back Raheem Blackshear and created the roster spot by waiving wide receiver Lawrence Keys with an injury designation on Tuesday.
- Blackshear was chosen after a group of tryouts and is valued primarily for his return and special‑teams work rather than as a primary offensive option.
- Blackshear’s NFL history includes going undrafted in 2022, three seasons with the Carolina Panthers, limited offensive stats across 41 games, and roughly 400 special‑teams snaps reported by Pro Football Focus.
- Detroit made the addition because reserve Sione Vaki suffered a broken nose and No. 1 back Jahmyr Gibbs remains in a training‑camp hold‑in, leaving the club short on available backs during practice.
- Waiving Keys with an injury tag reflects standard camp roster mechanics and means he could revert to the Lions’ injured reserve if he clears waivers, while Blackshear’s UFL and practice‑squad path underscores how teams add short‑term depth in preseason.