Detroit Lions activate Bo Scarbrough and Mike Ford from IR, release Chris Jones and Kenny Wiggins
The Detroit Lions announced they have activated running back Bo Scarbrough and corner Mike Ford from injured reserve, releasing corner Chris Jones and offensive lineman Kenny Wiggins in corresponding moves.
Scarbrough and Ford may play on opposite sides of the ball but their path to the 2020 active roster has been identical.
Both were injured in training camp, made the initial 53-man roster out of camp, and were placed on injured reserve ahead of Week 1. After three weeks on injured reserve, they were eligible to practice in Week 4 but didn’t begin practicing until after the Lions bye in Week 5. After being evaluated during Week 6 and 7 practices, both were determined healthy enough to return to the active roster.
Scarbrough will return to a crowded backfield that has three running backs clearly ahead of him on the depth chart. With electric rookie D’Andre Swift emerging, Adrian Peterson the veteran hammer, and Kerryon Johnson one of the best third-down backs in the NFL, it’s fair to wonder how much playing time is in Scarbrough’s future.
At this stage, Scarbrough looks like an insurance policy for the aging Peterson who has seen his average yards per carry drop in each of the Lions first five games — opening the season with 6.64 YPC in Week 1, then dropping to 5.86, 3.41, 3.27, and 2.67 in consecutive weeks. If Peterson doesn’t stop the freefall, Scarbrough could start stealing some of his snaps.
Ford takes Jones’ spot on the cornerback depth chart and should slot in as the fifth corner behind Desmond Trufant, Amani Oruwariye, Jeff Okudah, and Darryl Roberts. With Trufant ruled OUT for this weekend’s game, it’s very possible we will see Ford supplementing time with any of the above corners.
Wiggins was the 10th offensive lineman on the roster and with the nine above him all at full health, the Lions could afford to release him from the active roster. If he clears waivers, don’t be surprised if he is back with the Lions on the practice squad. Jones, who has jumped between the active roster and practice squad this season, also has a chance to return to the practice squad if he clears waivers.
