Overview
- The Lions added running back and return specialist Raheem Blackshear and waived wide receiver Lawrence Keys with an injury designation on Tuesday, according to the team transaction wire.
- Detroit made the move after reserve back Sione Vaki suffered a poked eye and broken nose in a padded practice and is expected to miss at least some time, coach Dan Campbell said.
- No. 1 running back Jahmyr Gibbs remains out of training camp while holding in for a new contract, which has increased the urgency to add immediate depth at the position.
- Blackshear spent 2022–24 with the Carolina Panthers and has limited offensive snaps but extensive special-teams work, including 66 kickoff returns for 1,734 yards and a second-place NFL total of 791 kickoff-return yards in 2024.
- Lawrence Keys’ waiver carries an injury designation that could send him to injured reserve if he clears waivers, and Blackshear will compete for a roster spot and return duties after a multi-player workout that included Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Hassan Haskins and Kylin James.