Lions make a bunch of moves ahead of Thanksgiving matchup with Packers with three big returns and a sad goodbye

The Detroit Lions are about to play the biggest game of the season against the Green Bay Packers on Thanksgiving, and they need all the help they can get to make sure they're able to topple their NFC North foes and get back into the playoff picture. They made a bunch of moves ahead of the game. Here's what they did:

Activated C Frank Ragnow from the Retired/Reserve list

I still can't believe this is happening. Understand that this is just not something that happens every day. Most players are just done when they retire, and that's that. Don't let the Michael Jordan and Tom Brady un-retirements fool you. At this point, we don't know when Ragnow plays. It's really hard to see it being Thursday, though. Stranger things have happened.

Activated edge Marcus Davenport

I know everyone wants to make fun of the injuries, and I think that's wrong, but you can't ignore how good a player he is when healthy. This is exactly the shot in the arm the Lions' pass rush needs at exactly the right time. He can take advantage of the one-on-one opportunities Aidan Hutchinson is going to get him, and he can help Hutchinson get a few opportunities himself. Plus, he's a great run stopper, too.

Activated OL Miles Frazier

I wouldn't expect to see him thrown right into the starting lineup just yet, but I do see him getting some starts at left guard this season. I just don't know if you can do it right away in such a big game after just a few practices in the NFL. Either way, I'm personally eager to see him play and see what he's got. He was a player I mocked to the Lions a lot ahead of the draft. So, of course, I'd like to be right about him.

Signed TE Anthony Firkser and WR Tom Kennedy to 53-man roster

At this point, the jury is out on whether or not Brock Wright will play in this game. He had a nasty landing on his neck against the Giants and had no-practice status on both of the Lions' estimated reports this week. Either way, they need some tight end depth, and Firkser will be the guy for the second time this year. Kennedy gets a shot to be a bigger part of the team now.

Elevated C Kinglsey Eguakun and TE Zach Horton from the practice squad

with Glasgow out, Eguakun will now either be the starting center or Trystan Colon's backup center fort this one. We haven't got to see Horton much this season, but he's a good run blocker and has full back potential. You have to wonder if we see any of that tomorrow.

Waived RB Craig Reynolds

It's sad and nobody wanted to see it happen, but the Lions just have big plans for the future and Reynolds is not really included in them. They have Sione Vaki and Jacob Saylors and both have shown a lot this season that Detroit can build upon.

Waived DL Quinton Jefferson, CB Nick Whiteside, and CB Arthuor Maulet

The Lions had to open up some spots to get guys back, and that meant they had to make some hard decisions. Whiteside was probably the hardest since there's a lot of upside there. If he clears waivers, look for the Lions to try to get him back on the practice squad. I would bet they want to get Maulet back as well. As for Jefferson, we really haven't seen much of him at all. He's been on the 53-man roster for weeks, but was only active for one game and played just 14 snaps in that game.

Signed S Erick Hallet to the practice squad

The Lions have always liked his guy. He's like the new Will Harris. He just does his job and does whatever is asked of him. The Lions love that type of player, and that's why Hallett just keeps coming back.

This story was originally published by A to Z Sports on Nov 26, 2025, where it first appeared in the NFL section. Add A to Z Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.