NFL insider Aaron Wilson reports that the Detroit Lions have activated defensive tackle Brodric Martin to their 53-man roster.
The Lions continue to adjust their lineup, with Martin being elevated from injured reserve to fill the vacancy left by Ifeatu Melifonwu, who was placed on injured reserve Tuesday. Martin, a third-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, spent most of his rookie year developing and appeared in only three games.
Heading into 2024, he competed with Kyle Peko for the backup nose tackle role behind starter DJ Reader but suffered a knee injury in the preseason finale and was subsequently placed on injured reserve.
After Peko also landed on injured reserve early in the season, the Lions utilized Pat O’Connor as a backup nose tackle. However, O’Connor, at 6-foot-4 and 270 pounds, is better suited as a rotational defensive end.
Martin’s return, at 6-foot-5 and 330 pounds, provides a more natural option at nose tackle, adding significant size and depth to the middle of the Lions’ defensive line.
Martin is the second player the Lions have brought back from injured reserve this season. Melifonwu was briefly activated Monday before being placed back on injured reserve Tuesday.
This leaves six open slots for returning players like Emmanuel Moseley, Jalen Reeves-Maybin, Alex Anzalone, and possibly Melifonwu again.
While players like Aidan Hutchinson, Derrick Barnes, and John Cominsky remain possibilities for late-season or postseason returns, their availability is uncertain as they continue rehabilitation.
