Strategic Move: NFL world and Bears Fans reacts as Lions Officially Sign Former Rival Cornerback to Active Roster

The Detroit Lions are bolstering their secondary by signing veteran cornerback Kindle Vildor to the active roster after a stint on the practice squad.

According to Justin Rogers of the Detroit News, the Lions placed defensive tackle Alim McNeill on injured reserve on December 5 and added defensive tackle Tyson Alualo and offensive lineman Matt Farniok to their practice squad.

The Lions were used to seeing Vildor line up against them with an NFC North rival, according to Rogers.

“A fifth-round pick out of Georgia Southern in 2020, [Vildor has] made 22 starts as a professional, all with the Chicago Bears, primarily playing as an outside corner,” Rogers wrote in a blog post.

“He spent part of last season with the Tennessee Titans and was most recently on Philadelphia’s practice squad.”

Injuries have taken a heavy toll on the Lions’ secondary.
Vildor will have the opportunity to add veteran depth to a secondary that has seen a number of key injuries, including two of the team’s most significant offseason additions. Safety Gardner, C.J.Johnson’s season was cut short due to a torn pecora muscle, and cornerback Emmanuel Moseley tore his ACL in his first game back after tearing the ACL in his opposite knee last season.
After Moseley’s injury, Campbell stated that he was not concerned about the secondary’s state, owing in part to Jerry Jacobs’ strong play and the versatility of Will Harris, who can play both inside and outside.

“It’s a pretty smart group back there,” Campbell observed. “They’ve learned how to collaborate.” Again, having Cam Sutton on board has been extremely beneficial. We have a lot of faith and trust in him, and we can play multiple schemes with him. He’s been our reliable guy over there.”

The Lions have added to their defensive line.
While Vildor’s signing will benefit the secondary, some of the other moves made by the Lions this week will benefit the defensive line. Alualu brings a veteran presence to the team, and if they choose to add practice squad standout Quinton Bohanna to the active roster, they could find even more help.

“Three regular-season games and two starts in a row would lead you to believe that some trust has grown there and that the Lions want to maybe keep seeing where this goes,” Payton wrote in a December 6 article. “This is especially important with McNeill out for at least the next four games.” If they want Bohanna to play, they must add him to the active roster.”

There is still hope that McNeill will return before the end of the season. His placement on injured reserve means he will miss at least the next four games, but Rogers said he could return for the season finale and playoffs.

“According to a team source, this isn’t immediately being labeled a season-ending injury for Alim McNeill,” Rogers wrote on X, formerly Twitter. “There’s still hope to get him back this (technically next) year.”