Detroit Lions sign defensive tackle Taki Taimani; activate Brian Branch, Cade Mays
On Oct. 27, 2026, the Detroit Lions signed defensive tackle Taki Taimani to the practice squad and released wide receiver Lawrence Keys from the practice squad, according to the teams transactions page on ESPN. The moves were among several roster adjustments the club made in October as it managed availability and depth. The transactions page lists multiple activations, signings and injured reserve moves across the month.
On Oct. 24, the Lions activated defensive back Brian Branch from the physically unable to perform list and activated center Cade Mays from injured reserve, the transactions page shows. Those activations returned two players to availability after earlier designations this month. The team had designated both Branch and Mays to return on Oct. 7.
The Lions also made several other roster moves during October. On Oct. 22, Detroit signed wide receiver DeAndre Carter to the active roster after earlier practice-squad transactions involving him. On Oct. 20 the club signed defensive tackle Aidan Keanaaina to the practice squad and released defensive tackle Chris Smith from the practice squad the same day. The team placed linebacker Devin White, offensive lineman Ben Bartch and wide receiver Tom Kennedy on injured reserve on Oct. 16, elevated defensive back Jalen Mills from the practice squad on Oct. 10 and signed defensive lineman Jeffrey M’ba to the practice squad on Oct. 8.
NFL Sports Blog Take
These transactions reflect routine roster management as the Lions address injuries and depth needs late in October. Adding Taimani to the practice squad increases interior defensive-line depth while the activations of Branch and Mays restore depth at defensive back and center. The club has used a combination of signings, elevations and injured reserve moves to manage short-term availability throughout the month.