The Detroit Lions continue to reinforce a secondary that has become one of the team’s biggest concerns. With standout defensive back Brian Branch lost for the season due to an Achilles injury suffered during the December 4 “Thursday Night Football” win over the Dallas Cowboys, Detroit has moved quickly to restock its depth on the back end of the defense.
Over the past three days, the Lions have brought in two veteran safeties as they try to absorb the blow of losing one of their most dynamic defenders.
Lions Sign Versatile Veteran Jalen Mills
On Wednesday, December 10, the team secured the services of Jalen Mills, a defensive back who has played both cornerback and safety throughout his career. Mills shifted to safety two years ago with the New York Jets, spending a single season there before joining the Houston Texans in 2025. He appeared in four games for Houston this year, earning one start.
The 31-year-old first made his mark with the Philadelphia Eagles, where he spent five seasons and played a major role in the franchise’s 2017 Super Bowl run, starting 15 games that year. Mills later signed with the New England Patriots, where he remained a frequent starter until 2023. From there, he moved to the Jets in 2024, starting eight of the nine contests he played.
Across his 10-year NFL tenure, Mills has registered 454 tackles, 59 passes defended, 10 tackles for loss, eight interceptions, and three forced fumbles in 119 games, 92 of which he started.
Detroit Also Adds Veteran Safety Damontae Kazee
The Lions made another secondary move just one day earlier. On Tuesday, the team announced on social media that they had signed Damontae Kazee to their practice squad.
Kazee, 32, is in his ninth NFL season and has appeared in 111 games with 63 starts. Most recently, he suited up for the Cleveland Browns in 2025, primarily serving on special teams. He previously spent time with the Atlanta Falcons, Dallas Cowboys, and Pittsburgh Steelers, amassing 363 tackles, 24 pass breakups, 17 interceptions, and seven forced fumbles throughout his career.
Detroit Prepares for Crucial Showdown With NFC-Leading Rams
Injuries have once again piled up for Detroit, echoing the issues that plagued the roster throughout 2024. Still, the Lions sit at 8–5 and remain firmly in the playoff hunt. They currently rank third in the NFC North and hold the No. 8 spot in the conference standings—one position shy of a postseason berth, with seven NFC teams ultimately qualifying.
Their toughest remaining challenge arrives this weekend as Detroit heads to Los Angeles to square off against the 10–3 Rams, the conference’s top seed. After that, the Lions host the Pittsburgh Steelers before closing the regular season with road matchups against the Minnesota Vikings and Chicago Bears.
According to NFL.com, Detroit’s odds of reaching the playoffs sit at 52%, but a Statement win against the Rams on Sunday would boost those chances to 72%.
