With training camp set to kick off this weekend, the Detroit Lions have added depth on both sides of the ball.
Fox Sports’ Jordan Schultz reports the Lions are signing former Tennessee Titans running back Jabari Small. Additionally, NFL reporter Aaron Wilson reports the team is signing defensive back Tyson Russell following a successful workout on Friday.
Small, 23, signed with the Titans last season as an undrafted free agent. While he didn’t appear in a game, he spent time on the Titans’ practice squad before being released in May. During his four seasons at Tennessee, he totaled 2,122 rushing yards and 32 touchdowns, averaging 5.1 yards per carry.
Russell, who played four seasons at Vanderbilt, is signing with Detroit as an undrafted free agent after going unselected in this year’s NFL Draft. He appeared in 44 games for the Commodores, recording 92 combined tackles, one interception, three tackles for loss, and five passes defensed.
Russell’s signing comes at a time when the Lions are dealing with injuries at the cornerback position.
On Thursday, the team placed Khalil Dorsey on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list and Stantley Thomas-Oliver on the Non-Football Injury list.
During his final season at Vanderbilt, Pro Football Focus gave Russell an overall defensive grade of 57.5 and a coverage grade of 60.4. Opposing quarterbacks completed 59% of their passes when targeting him, posting a 118.4 passer rating.